English language - Dictionaries B...Oxford English ReferenceBritish Library Cataloguing Data The concise Oxford dictionary of current English.--8th ed. 1. English language--Dictionaries I. Allen, R. E. (Robert Edward), 1944-423 ISBN 0-19-861243-5 thumb index ISBN 0-19-861200-1 plain 1.0 B... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- B(1) n. (also b) (pl. Bs or B's) 1 the second letter of the alphabet. 2 Mus. the seventh note of the diatonic scale of C major. 3 the second hypothetical person or example. 4 the second highest class or category (of roads, academic marks, etc.). 5 Algebra (usu. b) the second known quantity. 6 a human blood type of the ABO system. ЬB film a supporting film in a cinema programme. B(2) symb. 1 Chem. the element boron. 2 Physics magnetic flux density. B(3) abbr. (also B.) 1 Bachelor. 2 bel(s). 3 bishop. 4 black (pencil-lead). 5 Blessed. b symb. Physics barn. b. abbr. 1 born. 2 Cricket a bowled by. b bye. 3 billion. 2.0 BA... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- BA abbr. 1 Bachelor of Arts. 2 British Academy. 3 British Airways. 4 British Association. Ba symb. Chem. the element barium. BAA abbr. British Airports Authority. baa v. & n. --v.intr. (baas, baaed or baa'd) (esp. of a sheep) bleat. --n. (pl. baas) the cry of a sheep or lamb. [imit.] baas n. S.Afr. boss, master (often as a form of address). [Du.: cf. BOSS(1)] baasskap n. S.Afr. domination, esp. of non-Whites by Whites. [Afrik. f. baas master + -skap condition] baba n. (in full rum baba) a small rich sponge cake, usu. soaked in rum-flavoured syrup. [F f. Pol.] babacoote n. = INDRI. [Malagasy babakoto] Babbitt(1) n. 1 (in full Babbitt metal) any of a group of soft alloys of tin, antimony, copper, and usu. lead, used for lining bearings etc., to diminish friction. 2 (babbitt) a bearing-lining made of this. [I. Babbitt, Amer. inventor d. 1862] Babbitt(2) n. a materialistic, complacent businessman. ЬЬBabbittry n. [George Babbitt, a character in the novel Babbitt (1922) by S. Lewis] babble v. & n. --v. 1 intr. a talk in an inarticulate or incoherent manner. b chatter excessively or irrelevantly. c (of a stream etc.) murmur, trickle. 2 tr. repeat foolishly; divulge through chatter. --n. 1 a incoherent speech. b foolish, idle, or childish talk. 2 the murmur of voices, water, etc. 3 Telephony background disturbance caused by interference from conversations on other lines. ЬЬbabblement n. [ME f. MLG babbelen, or imit.] babbler n. 1 a chatterer. 2 a person who reveals secrets. 3 any of a large group of passerine birds with loud chattering voices. babe n. 1 literary a baby. 2 an innocent or helpless person (babes and sucklings; babes in the wood). 3 US sl. a young woman (often as a form of address). [ME: imit. of child's ba, ba] babel n. 1 a confused noise, esp. of voices. 2 a noisy assembly. 3 a scene of confusion. ЬTower of Babel a visionary or unrealistic plan. [ME f. Heb. Babel Babylon f. Akkad. bab ili gate of god (with ref. to the biblical account of the tower that was built to reach heaven but ended in chaos when Jehovah confused the builders' speech: see Gen. 11)] Babis n. a member of a Persian eclectic sect founded in 1844 whose doctrine includes Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and Zoroastrian elements. ЬЬBabism n. [Pers. Bab-ed-Din, gate (= intermediary) of the Faith] baboon n. 1 any of various large Old World monkeys of the genus Papio, having a long doglike snout, large teeth, and naked callosities on the buttocks. 2 an ugly or uncouth person. [ME f. OF babuin or med.L babewynus, of unkn. orig.] babu n. (also baboo) Ind. 1 a title of respect, esp. to Hindus. 2 derog. formerly, an English-writing Indian clerk. [Hindi babu] babushka n. a headscarf tied under the chin. [Russ., = grandmother] baby n. & v. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 a very young child or infant, esp. one not yet able to walk. 2 an unduly childish person (is a baby about injections). 3 the youngest member of a family, team, etc. 4 (often attrib.) a a young or newly born animal. b a thing that is small of its kind (baby car; baby rose). 5 sl. a young woman; a sweetheart (often as a form of address). 6 sl. a person or thing regarded with affection or familiarity. 7 one's own responsibility, invention, concern, achievement, etc., regarded in a personal way. --v.tr. (-ies, -ied) 1 treat like a baby. 2 pamper. Ьbaby boom colloq. a temporary marked increase in the birthrate. baby boomer a person born during a baby boom, esp. after the war of 1939-45. baby-bouncer Brit. a frame supported by elastic or springs, into which a child is harnessed to exercise its limbs. Baby Buggy (pl. -ies) Brit. propr. a kind of child's collapsible pushchair. baby carriage US a pram. baby grand the smallest size of grand piano. baby-snatcher colloq. 1 a person who kidnaps babies. 2 = cradle-snatcher. baby-talk childish talk used by or to young children. baby-walker a wheeled frame in which a baby learns to walk. carry (or hold) the baby bear unwelcome responsibility. throw away the baby with the bath-water reject the essential with the inessential. ЬЬbabyhood n. [ME, formed as BABE, -Y(2)] Babygro n. (pl. -os) propr. a kind of all-in-one stretch garment for babies. [BABY + GROW] babyish adj. 1 childish, simple. 2 immature. ЬЬbabyishly adv. babyishness n. Babylonian n. & adj. --n. an inhabitant of Babylon, an ancient city and kingdom in Mesopotamia. --adj. of or relating to Babylon. [L Babylonius f. Gk Babulonios f. Babulon f. Heb. Babel] babysit v.intr. (-sitting; past and past part. -sat) look after a child or children while the parents are out. ЬЬbabysitter n. Bacardi n. (pl. Bacardis) propr. a West Indian rum produced orig. in Cuba. [name of the company producing it] baccalaureate n. 1 the university degree of bachelor. 2 an examination intended to qualify successful candidates for higher education. [F baccalaur‚at or med.L baccalaureatus f. baccalaureus bachelor] baccarat n. a gambling card-game played by punters in turn against the banker. [F] baccate adj. Bot. 1 bearing berries. 2 of or like a berry. [L baccatus berried f. bacca berry] bacchanal n. & adj. --n. 1 a wild and drunken revelry. 2 a drunken reveller. 3 a priest, worshipper, or follower of Bacchus. --adj. 1 of or like Bacchus, the Greek or Roman god of wine, or his rites. 2 riotous, roistering. [L bacchanalis f. Bacchus god of wine f. Gk Bakkhos] Bacchanalia n.pl. 1 the Roman festival of Bacchus. 2 (bacchanalia) a drunken revelry. ЬЬBacchanalian adj. & n. [L, neut. pl. of bacchanalis: see BACCHANAL] bacchant n. & adj. --n. (pl. bacchants or bacchantes; fem. bacchante) 1 a priest, worshipper, or follower of Bacchus. 2 a drunken reveller. --adj. 1 of or like Bacchus or his rites. 2 riotous, roistering. ЬЬbacchantic adj. [F bacchante f. L bacchari celebrate Bacchanal rites] Bacchic adj. = BACCHANAL adj. [L bacchicus f. Gk bakkhikos of Bacchus] baccy n. (pl. -ies) Brit. colloq. tobacco. [abbr.] bachelor n. 1 an unmarried man. 2 a man or woman who has taken the degree of Bachelor of Arts or Science etc. 3 hist. a young knight serving under another's banner. Ьbachelor girl an independent unmarried young woman. bachelor's buttons any of various button-like flowers, esp. the double buttercup. ЬЬbachelorhood n. bachelorship n. [ME & OF bacheler aspirant to knighthood, of uncert. orig.] bacillary adj. relating to or caused by bacilli. bacilliform adj. rod-shaped. bacillus n. (pl. bacilli) 1 any rod-shaped bacterium. 2 (usu. in pl.) any pathogenic bacterium. [LL, dimin. of L baculus stick] back n., adv., v., & adj. --n. 1 a the rear surface of the human body from the shoulders to the hips. b the corresponding upper surface of an animal's body. c the spine (fell and broke his back). d the keel of a ship. 2 a any surface regarded as corresponding to the human back, e.g. of the head or hand, or of a chair. b the part of a garment that covers the back. 3 a the less active or visible or important part of something functional, e.g. of a knife or a piece of paper (write it on the back). b the side or part normally away from the spectator or the direction of motion or attention, e.g. of a car, house, or room (stood at the back). 4 a a defensive player in field games. b this position. 5 (the Backs) the grounds of Cambridge colleges which back on to the River Cam. --adv. 1 to the rear; away from what is considered to be the front (go back a bit; ran off without looking back). 2 a in or into an earlier or normal position or condition (came back late; went back home; ran back to the car; put it back on the shelf). b in return (pay back). 3 in or into the past (back in June; three years back). 4 at a distance (stand back from the road). 5 in check (hold him back). 6 (foll. by of) US behind (was back of the house). --v. 1 tr. a help with moral or financial support. b bet on the success of (a horse etc.). 2 tr. & intr. move, or cause (a vehicle etc.) to move, backwards. 3 tr. a put or serve as a back, background, or support to. b Mus. accompany. 4 tr. lie at the back of (a beach backed by steep cliffs). 5 intr. (of the wind) move round in an anticlockwise direction. --adj. 1 situated behind, esp. as remote or subsidiary (backstreet; back teeth). 2 of or relating to the past; not current (back pay; back issue). 3 reversed (back flow). Ьat a person's back in pursuit or support. at the back of one's mind remembered but not consciously thought of. back and forth to and fro. back bench a back-bencher's seat in the House of Commons. back-bencher a member of Parliament not holding a senior office. back-boiler Brit. a boiler behind and integral with a domestic fire. back-breaking (esp. of manual work) extremely hard. back country esp. Austral. & NZ an area away from settled districts. back-crawl = BACKSTROKE. back-cross Biol. 1 cross a hybrid with one of its parents. 2 an instance or the product of this. back door a secret or ingenious means of gaining an objective. back-door adj. (of an activity) clandestine, underhand (back-door deal). back down withdraw one's claim or point of view etc.; concede defeat in an argument etc. back-down n. an instance of backing down. back-fill refill an excavated hole with the material dug out of it. back-formation 1 the formation of a word from its seeming derivative (e.g. laze from lazy). 2 a word formed in this way. back number 1 an issue of a periodical earlier than the current one. 2 sl. an out-of-date person or thing. the back of beyond a very remote or inaccessible place. back off 1 draw back, retreat. 2 abandon one's intention, stand, etc. back on to have its back adjacent to (the house backs on to a field). back out (often foll. by of) withdraw from a commitment. back passage colloq. the rectum. back-pedal (-pedalled, -pedalling; US -pedaled, -pedaling) 1 pedal backwards on a bicycle etc. 2 reverse one's previous action or opinion. back-projection the projection of a picture from behind a translucent screen for viewing or filming. back room (often (with hyphen) attrib.) a place where secret work is done. back-scattering the scattering of radiation in a reverse direction. back seat an inferior position or status. back-seat driver a person who is eager to advise without responsibility (orig. of a passenger in a car etc.). back slang slang using words spelt backwards (e.g. yob). back-stop = LONGSTOP. back talk US = BACKCHAT. back to back with backs adjacent and opposite each other (we stood back to back). back-to-back adj. esp. Brit. (of houses) with a party wall at the rear. back to front 1 with the back at the front and the front at the back. 2 in disorder. back-to-nature (usu. attrib.) applied to a movement or enthusiast for the reversion to a simpler way of life. back up 1 give (esp. moral) support to. 2 Computing make a spare copy of (data, a disk, etc.). 3 (of running water) accumulate behind an obstruction. 4 reverse (a vehicle) into a desired position. 5 US form a queue of vehicles etc., esp. in congested traffic. back water reverse a boat's forward motion using oars. get (or put) a person's back up annoy or anger a person. get off a person's back stop troubling a person. go back on fail to honour (a promise or commitment). know like the back of one's hand be entirely familiar with. on one's back injured or ill in bed. on the back burner see BURNER. put one's back into approach (a task etc.) with vigour. see the back of see SEE(1). turn one's back on 1 abandon. 2 ignore. with one's back to (or up against) the wall in a desperate situation; hard-pressed. ЬЬbacker n. (in sense 1 of v.). backless adj. [OE b‘c f. Gmc] backache n. a (usu. prolonged) pain in one's back. backbite v.tr. slander; speak badly of. ЬЬbackbiter n. backblocks n.pl. Austral. & NZ land in the remote and sparsely inhabited interior. backboard n. 1 a board worn to support or straighten the back. 2 a board placed at or forming the back of anything. backbone n. 1 the spine. 2 the main support of a structure. 3 firmness of character. 4 US the spine of a book. backchat n. Brit. colloq. the practice of replying rudely or impudently. backcloth n. Brit. Theatr. a painted cloth at the back of the stage as a main part of the scenery. backcomb v.tr. comb (the hair) towards the scalp to make it look thicker. backdate v.tr. 1 put an earlier date to (an agreement etc.) than the actual one. 2 make retrospectively valid. backdrop n. = BACKCLOTH. backfire v. & n. --v.intr. 1 undergo a mistimed explosion in the cylinder or exhaust of an internal-combustion engine. 2 (of a plan etc.) rebound adversely on the originator; have the opposite effect to what was intended. --n. an instance of backfiring. backgammon n. 1 a game for two played on a board with pieces moved according to throws of the dice. 2 the most complete form of win in this. [BACK + GAMMON(2)] background n. 1 part of a scene, picture, or description, that serves as a setting to the chief figures or objects and foreground. 2 an inconspicuous or obscure position (kept in the background). 3 a person's education, knowledge, or social circumstances. 4 explanatory or contributory information or circumstances. 5 Physics low-intensity ambient radiation from radioisotopes present in the natural environment. 6 Electronics unwanted signals, such as noise in the reception or recording of sound. Ьbackground music music intended as an unobtrusive accompaniment to some activity, or to provide atmosphere in a film etc. backhand n. Tennis etc. 1 a stroke played with the back of the hand turned towards the opponent. 2 (attrib.) of or made with a backhand (backhand volley). backhanded adj. 1 (of a blow etc.) delivered with the back of the hand, or in a direction opposite to the usual one. 2 indirect; ambiguous (a backhanded compliment). 3 = BACKHAND adj. backhander n. 1 a a backhand stroke. b a backhanded blow. 2 colloq. an indirect attack. 3 Brit. sl. a bribe. backing n. 1 a support. b a body of supporters. c material used to form a back or support. 2 musical accompaniment, esp. to a singer. backlash n. 1 an excessive or marked adverse reaction. 2 a a sudden recoil or reaction between parts of a mechanism. b excessive play between such parts. backlist n. a publisher's list of books published before the current season and still in print. backlit adj. (esp. in photography) illuminated from behind. backlog n. 1 arrears of uncompleted work etc. 2 a reserve; reserves (a backlog of goodwill). backmarker n. Brit. a competitor who has the least favourable handicap in a race etc. backmost adj. furthest back. backpack n. & v. --n. a rucksack. --v.intr. travel or hike with a backpack. ЬЬbackpacker n. backrest n. a support for the back. backscratcher n. 1 a rod terminating in a clawed hand for scratching one's own back. 2 a person who performs mutual services with another for gain. backsheesh var. of BAKSHEESH. backside n. colloq. the buttocks. backsight n. 1 the sight of a rifle etc. that is nearer the stock. 2 Surveying a sight or reading taken backwards or towards the point of starting. backslapping adj. vigorously hearty. backslash n. a backward-sloping diagonal line; a reverse solidus (\). backslide v.intr. (past -slid; past part. -slid or -slidden) relapse into bad ways or error. ЬЬbackslider n. backspace v.intr. move a typewriter carriage etc. back one or more spaces. backspin n. a backward spin imparted to a ball causing it to fly off at an angle on hitting a surface. backstage adv. & adj. --adv. 1 Theatr. out of view of the audience, esp. in the wings or dressing-rooms. 2 not known to the public. --adj. also that is backstage; concealed. backstairs n.pl. 1 stairs at the back or side of a building. 2 (also backstair) (attrib.) denoting underhand or clandestine activity. backstay n. a rope etc. leading downwards and aft from the top of a mast. backstitch n. & v. --n. sewing with overlapping stitches. --v.tr. & intr. sew using backstitch. backstreet n. 1 a street in a quiet part of a town, away from the main streets. 2 (attrib.) denoting illicit or illegal activity (a backstreet abortion). backstroke n. a swimming stroke performed on the back with the arms lifted alternately out of the water in a backward circular motion and the legs extended in a kicking action. backtrack v.intr. 1 retrace one's steps. 2 reverse one's previous action or opinion. backup n. 1 moral or technical support (called for extra backup). 2 a reserve. 3 Computing (often attrib.) a the procedure for making security copies of data (backup facilities). b the copy itself (made a backup). 4 US a queue of vehicles etc., esp. in congested traffic. Ьbackup light US a reversing light. backveld n. S.Afr. remote country districts, esp. those strongly conservative. ЬЬbackvelder n. backward adv. & adj. --adv. = BACKWARDS. ° Backwards is now more common, esp. in literal senses. --adj. 1 directed to the rear or starting-point (a backward look). 2 reversed. 3 mentally retarded or slow. 4 reluctant, shy, unassertive. ЬЬbackwardness n. [earlier abackward, assoc. with BACK] backwardation n. esp. Brit. Stock Exch. the percentage paid by a person selling stock for the right of delaying the delivery of it (cf. CONTANGO). backwards adv. 1 away from one's front (lean backwards; look backwards). 2 a with the back foremost (walk backwards). b in reverse of the usual way (count backwards; spell backwards). 3 a into a worse state (new policies are taking us backwards). b into the past (looked backwards over the years). c (of a thing's motion) back towards the starting-point (rolled backwards). Ьbackwards and forwards in both directions alternately; to and fro. bend (or fall or lean) over backwards (often foll. by to + infin.) colloq. make every effort, esp. to be fair or helpful. know backwards be entirely familiar with. backwash n. 1 a receding waves created by the motion of a ship etc. b a backward current of air created by a moving aircraft. 2 repercussions. backwater n. 1 a place or condition remote from the centre of activity or thought. 2 stagnant water fed from a stream. backwoods n.pl. 1 remote uncleared forest land. 2 any remote or sparsely inhabited region. backwoodsman n. (pl. -men) 1 an inhabitant of backwoods. 2 an uncouth person. backyard n. a yard at the back of a house etc. Ьin one's own backyard colloq. near at hand. baclava var. of BAKLAVA. bacon n. cured meat from the back or sides of a pig. Ьbring home the bacon colloq. 1 succeed in one's undertaking. 2 supply material provision or support. [ME f. OF f. Frank. bako = OHG bahho ham, flitch] Baconian adj. & n. --adj. of or relating to the English philosopher Sir Francis Bacon (d. 1626), or to his inductive method of reasoning and philosophy. --n. 1 a supporter of the view that Bacon was the author of Shakespeare's plays. 2 a follower of Bacon. bacteria pl. of BACTERIUM. bactericide n. a substance capable of destroying bacteria. ЬЬbactericidal adj. bacteriology n. the study of bacteria. ЬЬbacteriological adj. bacteriologically adv. bacteriologist n. bacteriolysis n. the rupture of bacterial cells. bacteriolytic adj. capable of lysing bacteria. bacteriophage n. a virus parasitic on a bacterium, by infecting it and reproducing inside it. [BACTERIUM + Gk phagein eat] bacteriostasis n. the inhibition of the growth of bacteria without destroying them. ЬЬbacteriostatic adj. bacterium n. (pl. bacteria) a member of a large group of unicellular micro-organisms lacking organelles and an organized nucleus, some of which can cause disease. ЬЬbacterial adj. [mod.L f. Gk bakterion dimin. of baktron stick] Bactrian adj. of or relating to Bactria in central Asia. ЬBactrian camel a camel, Camelus bactrianus, native to central Asia, with two humps. [L Bactrianus f. Gk Baktrianos] bad adj., n., & adv. --adj. (worse; worst) 1 inferior, inadequate, defective (bad work; a bad driver; bad light). 2 a unpleasant, unwelcome (bad weather; bad news). b unsatisfactory, unfortunate (a bad business). 3 harmful (is bad for you). 4 (of food) decayed, putrid. 5 colloq. ill, injured (am feeling bad today; a bad leg). 6 colloq. regretful, guilty, ashamed (feels bad about it). 7 (of an unwelcome thing) serious, severe (a bad headache; a bad mistake). 8 a morally wicked or offensive (a bad man; bad language). b naughty; badly behaved (a bad child). 9 worthless; not valid (a bad cheque). 10 (badder, baddest) esp. US sl. good, excellent. --n. 1 a ill fortune (take the bad with the good). b ruin; a degenerate condition (go to the bad). 2 the debit side of an account (њ500 to the bad). 3 (as pl.; prec. by the) bad or wicked people. --adv. US colloq. badly (took it bad). Ьbad blood ill feeling. bad books see BOOK. bad breath unpleasant-smelling breath. bad debt a debt that is not recoverable. bad egg see EGG(1). bad faith see FAITH. bad form see FORM. a bad job colloq. an unfortunate state of affairs. bad mouth US malicious gossip or criticism. bad-mouth v.tr. US subject to malicious gossip or criticism. bad news colloq. an unpleasant or troublesome person or thing. from bad to worse into an even worse state. in a bad way ill; in trouble (looked in a bad way). not (or not so) bad colloq. fairly good. too bad colloq. (of circumstances etc.) regrettable but now beyond retrieval. ЬЬbaddish adj. badness n. [ME, perh. f. OE b‘ddel hermaphrodite, womanish man: for loss of l cf. MUCH, WENCH] baddy n. (pl. -ies) colloq. a villain or criminal, esp. in a story, film, etc. bade see BID. badge n. 1 a distinctive emblem worn as a mark of office, membership, achievement, licensed employment, etc. 2 any feature or sign which reveals a characteristic condition or quality. [ME: orig. unkn.] badger n. & v. --n. 1 an omnivorous grey-coated nocturnal mammal of the family Mustelidae with a white stripe flanked by black stripes on its head, which lives in sets. 2 a fishing-fly, brush, etc., made of its hair. --v.tr. pester, harass, tease. [16th c.: perh. f. BADGE, with ref. to its white forehead mark] badinage n. humorous or playful ridicule. [F f. badiner to joke] badlands n. extensive uncultivable eroded tracts in arid areas. [transl. F mauvaises terres] badly adv. (worse; worst) 1 in a bad manner (works badly). 2 colloq. very much (wants it badly). 3 severely (was badly defeated). badminton n. 1 a game with rackets in which a shuttlecock is played back and forth across a net. 2 a summer drink of claret, soda, and sugar. [Badminton in S. England] bad-tempered adj. having a bad temper; irritable; easily annoyed. ЬЬbad-temperedly adv. Baedeker n. any of various travel guidebooks published by the firm founded by the German Karl Baedeker (d. 1859). baffle v. & n. --v.tr. 1 confuse or perplex (a person, one's faculties, etc.). 2 a frustrate or hinder (plans etc.). b restrain or regulate the progress of (fluids, sounds, etc.). --n. (also baffle-plate) a device used to restrain the flow of fluid, gas, etc., through an opening, often found in microphones etc. to regulate the emission of sound. Ьbaffle-board a device to prevent sound from spreading in different directions, esp. round a loudspeaker cone. ЬЬbafflement n. baffling adj. bafflingly adv. [perh. rel. to F bafouer ridicule, OF beffer mock] baffler n. = BAFFLE n. BAFTA abbr. British Association of Film and Television Arts. bag n. & v. --n. 1 a receptacle of flexible material with an opening at the top. 2 a (usu. in pl.) a piece of luggage (put the bags in the boot). b a woman's handbag. 3 (in pl.; usu. foll. by of) colloq. a large amount; plenty (bags of time). 4 (in pl.) Brit. colloq. trousers. 5 sl. derog. a woman, esp. regarded as unattractive or unpleasant. 6 an animal's sac containing poison, honey, etc. 7 an amount of game shot by a sportsman. 8 (usu. in pl.) baggy folds of skin under the eyes. 9 sl. a person's particular interest or preoccupation, esp. in a distinctive style or category of music (his bag is Indian music). --v. (bagged, bagging) 1 tr. put in a bag. 2 tr. colloq. a secure; get hold of (bagged the best seat). b colloq. steal. c shoot (game). d (often in phr. bags I) Brit. colloq. claim on grounds of being the first to do so (bagged first go; bags I go first). 3 a intr. hang loosely; bulge; swell. b tr. cause to do this. 4 tr. Austral. sl. criticize, disparage. Ьbag and baggage with all one's belongings. bag lady US a homeless woman who carries her possessions around in shopping bags. bag (or whole bag) of tricks colloq. everything; the whole lot. in the bag colloq. achieved; as good as secured. ЬЬbagful n. (pl. -fuls). [ME, perh. f. ON baggi] bagarre n. a scuffle or brawl. [F] bagasse n. the dry pulpy residue left after the extraction of juice from sugar cane, usable as fuel or to make paper etc. [F f. Sp. bagazo] bagatelle n. 1 a game in which small balls are struck into numbered holes on a board, with pins as obstructions. 2 a mere trifle; a negligible amount. 3 Mus. a short piece of music, esp. for the piano. [F f. It. bagatella dimin., perh. f. baga BAGGAGE] bagel n. (also beigel) US a hard bread roll in the shape of a ring. [Yiddish beygel] baggage n. 1 everyday belongings packed up in suitcases etc. for travelling; luggage. 2 the portable equipment of an army. 3 joc. or derog. a girl or woman. Ьbaggage check US a luggage ticket. [ME f. OF bagage f. baguer tie up or bagues bundles: perh. rel. to BAG] baggy adj. (baggier, baggiest) 1 hanging in loose folds. 2 puffed out. ЬЬbaggily adv. bagginess n. bagman n. (pl. -men) 1 Brit. sl. a travelling salesman. 2 Austral. a tramp. 3 US sl. an agent who collects or distributes money for illicit purposes. bagnio n. (pl. -os) 1 a brothel. 2 an Oriental prison. [It. bagno f. L balneum bath] bagpipe n. (usu. in pl.) a musical instrument consisting of a windbag connected to two kinds of reeded pipes: drone pipes which produce single sustained notes and a fingered melody pipe or 'chanter'. ЬЬbagpiper n. baguette n. 1 a long narrow French loaf. 2 a gem cut in a long rectangular shape. 3 Archit. a small moulding, semicircular in section. [F f. It. bacchetto dimin. of bacchio f. L baculum staff] bah int. an expression of contempt or disbelief. [prob. F] Baha'i n. (pl. Baha'is) a member of a monotheistic religion founded in 1863 as a branch of Babism (see BABIS), emphasizing religious unity and world peace. ЬЬBaha'ism n. [Pers. bah splendour] Bahamian n. & adj. --n. 1 a native or national of the Bahamas in the W. Indies. 2 a person of Bahamian descent. --adj. of or relating to the Bahamas. Bahasa Indonesia n. the official language of Indonesia. [Indonesian bahasa language f. Skr. bhasa f. bhasate he speaks: see INDONESIAN] bail(1) n. & v. --n. 1 money etc. required as security against the temporary release of a prisoner pending trial. 2 a person or persons giving such security. --v.tr. (usu. foll. by out) 1 release or secure the release of (a prisoner) on payment of bail. 2 (also bale by assoc. with bale out 1: see BALE(1)) release from a difficulty; come to the rescue of. Ьforfeit (colloq. jump) bail fail to appear for trial after being released on bail. go (or stand) bail (often foll. by for) act as surety (for an accused person). ЬЬbailable adj. [ME f. OF bail custody, bailler take charge of, f. L bajulare bear a burden] bail(2) n. & v. --n. 1 Cricket either of the two crosspieces bridging the stumps. 2 the bar on a typewriter holding the paper against the platen. 3 a bar separating horses in an open stable. 4 Austral. & NZ a framework for securing the head of a cow during milking. --v. Austral. & NZ (usu. foll. by up) 1 tr. secure (a cow) during milking. 2 a tr. make (a person) hold up his or her arms to be robbed. b intr. surrender by throwing up one's arms. c tr. buttonhole (a person). [ME f. OF bail(e), perh. f. bailler enclose] bail(3) v.tr. (also bale) 1 (usu. foll. by out) scoop water out of (a boat etc.). 2 scoop (water etc.) out. Ьbail out var. of bale out 1 (see BALE(1)). ЬЬbailer n. [obs. bail (n.) bucket f. F baille ult. f. L bajulus carrier] bailee n. Law a person or party to whom goods are committed for a purpose, e.g. custody or repair, without transfer of ownership. [BAIL(1) + -EE] bailey n. (pl. -eys) 1 the outer wall of a castle. 2 a court enclosed by it. [ME, var. of BAIL(2)] Bailey bridge n. a temporary bridge of lattice steel designed for rapid assembly from prefabricated standard parts, used esp. in military operations. [Sir D. Bailey (d. 1985), its designer] bailie n. esp. hist. a municipal officer and magistrate in Scotland. [ME, f. OF bailli(s) BAILIFF] bailiff n. 1 a sheriff's officer who executes writs and processes and carries out distraints and arrests. 2 Brit. the agent or steward of a landlord. 3 US an official in a court of law who keeps order, looks after prisoners, etc. 4 Brit. (hist. except in formal titles) the sovereign's representative in a district, esp. the chief officer of a hundred. 5 the first civil officer in the Channel Islands. [ME f. OF baillif ult. f. L bajulus carrier, manager] bailiwick n. 1 Law the district or jurisdiction of a bailie or bailiff. 2 joc. a person's sphere of operations or particular area of interest. [BAILIE + WICK(2)] bailment n. the act of delivering goods etc. for a (usu. specified) purpose. bailor n. Law a person or party that entrusts goods to a bailee. [BAIL(1) + -OR] bailsman n. (pl. -men) a person who stands bail for another. [BAIL(1) + MAN] bain-marie n. (pl. bains-marie pronunc. same) a cooking utensil consisting of a vessel of hot water in which a receptacle containing a sauce etc. can be slowly and gently heated; a double boiler. [F, transl. med.L balneum Mariae bath of Maria (an alleged Jewish alchemist)] Bairam n. either of two annual Muslim festivals. ЬGreater Bairam at the end of the Islamic year. Lesser Bairam at the end of Ramadan. [Turk. & Pers.] bairn n. Sc. & N.Engl. a child. [OE bearn] bait(1) n. & v. --n. 1 food used to entice a prey, esp. a fish or an animal. 2 an allurement; something intended to tempt or entice. 3 archaic a halt on a journey for refreshment or a rest. 4 = BATE. --v. 1 tr. a harass or annoy (a person). b torment (a chained animal). 2 tr. put bait on (a hook, trap, etc.) to entice a prey. 3 archaic a tr. give food to (horses on a journey). b intr. stop on a journey to take food or a rest. [ME f. ON beita hunt or chase] bait(2) var. of BATE. baize n. a coarse usu. green woollen material resembling felt used as a covering or lining, esp. on the tops of billiard- and card-tables. [F baies (pl.) fem. of bai chestnut-coloured (BAY(4)), treated as sing.: cf. BODICE] bajra n. Ind. pearl millet or similar grain. [Hindi] bake v. & n. --v. 1 a tr. cook (food) by dry heat in an oven or on a hot surface, without direct exposure to a flame. b intr. undergo the process of being baked. 2 intr. colloq. a (usu. as be baking) (of weather etc.) be very hot. b (of a person) become hot. 3 a tr. harden (clay etc.) by heat. b intr. (of clay etc.) be hardened by heat. 4 a tr. (of the sun) affect by its heat, e.g. ripen (fruit). b intr. (e.g. of fruit) be affected by the sun's heat. --n. 1 the act or an instance of baking. 2 a batch of baking. 3 US a social gathering at which baked food is eaten. Ьbaked Alaska see ALASKA. baked beans baked haricot beans, usu. tinned in tomato sauce. baking-powder a mixture of sodium bicarbonate, cream of tartar, etc., used instead of yeast in baking. baking-soda sodium bicarbonate. [OE bacan] bakehouse n. = BAKERY. Bakelite n. propr. any of various thermosetting resins or plastics made from formaldehyde and phenol and used for cables, buttons, plates, etc. [G Bakelit f. L.H. Baekeland its Belgian-born inventor d. 1944] baker n. a person who bakes and sells bread, cakes, etc., esp. professionally. Ьbaker's dozen thirteen (so called from the former bakers' custom of adding an extra loaf to a dozen sold; the exact reason for this is unclear). [OE b‘cere] bakery n. (pl. -ies) a place where bread and cakes are made or sold. Bakewell tart n. a baked open pie consisting of a pastry case lined with jam and filled with a rich almond paste. [Bakewell in Derbyshire] baklava n. (also baclava) a rich sweetmeat of flaky pastry, honey, and nuts. [Turk.] baksheesh n. (also backsheesh) (in some oriental countries) a small sum of money given as a gratuity or as alms. [ult. f. Pers. baksis f. baksidan give] Balaclava n. (in full Balaclava helmet) a tight woollen garment covering the whole head and neck except for parts of the face, worn orig. by soldiers on active service in the Crimean War. [Balaclava in the Crimea, the site of a battle in 1854] balalaika n. a guitar-like musical instrument having a triangular body and 2-4 strings, popular in Russia and other Slav countries. [Russ.] balance n. & v. --n. 1 an apparatus for weighing, esp. one with a central pivot, beam, and two scales. 2 a a counteracting weight or force. b (in full balance-wheel) the regulating device in a clock etc. 3 a an even distribution of weight or amount. b stability of body or mind (regained his balance). 4 a preponderating weight or amount (the balance of opinion). 5 a an agreement between or the difference between credits and debits in an account. b the difference between an amount due and an amount paid (will pay the balance next week). c an amount left over; the rest. 6 a Art harmony of design and proportion. b Mus. the relative volume of various sources of sound (bad balance between violins and trumpets). 7 (the Balance) the zodiacal sign or constellation Libra. --v. 1 tr. (foll. by with, against) offset or compare (one thing) with another (must balance the advantages with the disadvantages). 2 tr. counteract, equal, or neutralize the weight or importance of. 3 a tr. bring into or keep in equilibrium (balanced a book on her head). b intr. be in equilibrium (balanced on one leg). 4 tr. (usu. as balanced adj.) establish equal or appropriate proportions of elements in (a balanced diet; balanced opinion). 5 tr. weigh (arguments etc.) against each other. 6 a tr. compare and esp. equalize debits and credits of (an account). b intr. (of an account) have credits and debits equal. Ьbalance of payments the difference in value between payments into and out of a country. balance of power 1 a situation in which the chief States of the world have roughly equal power. 2 the power held by a small group when larger groups are of equal strength. balance of trade the difference in value between imports and exports. balance sheet a statement giving the balance of an account. in the balance uncertain; at a critical stage. on balance all things considered. strike a balance choose a moderate course or compromise. ЬЬbalanceable adj. balancer n. [ME f. OF, ult. f. LL (libra) bilanx bilancis two-scaled (balance)] balata n. 1 any of several latex-yielding trees of Central America, esp. Manilkara bidentata. 2 the dried sap of this used as a substitute for gutta-percha. [ult. f. Carib] Balbriggan n. a knitted cotton fabric used for underwear etc. [Balbriggan in Ireland, where it was orig. made] balcony n. (pl. -ies) 1 a usu. balustraded platform on the outside of a building, with access from an upper-floor window or door. 2 a the tier of seats in a theatre above the dress circle. b the upstairs seats in a cinema etc. c US the dress circle in a theatre. ЬЬbalconied adj. [It. balcone] bald adj. 1 (of a person) with the scalp wholly or partly lacking hair. 2 (of an animal, plant, etc.) not covered by the usual hair, feathers, leaves, etc. 3 colloq. with the surface worn away (a bald tyre). 4 a blunt, unelaborated (a bald statement). b undisguised (the bald effrontery). 5 meagre or dull (a bald style). 6 marked with white, esp. on the face (a bald horse). Ьbald eagle a white-headed eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), used as the emblem of the United States. ЬЬbalding adj. (in senses 1-3). baldish adj. baldly adv. (in sense 4). baldness n. [ME ballede, orig. 'having a white blaze', prob. f. an OE root ball- 'white patch'] baldachin n. (also baldaquin) 1 a ceremonial canopy over an altar, throne, etc. 2 a rich brocade. [It. baldacchino f. Baldacco Baghdad, its place of origin] balderdash n. senseless talk or writing; nonsense. [earlier = 'mixture of drinks': orig. unkn.] baldhead n. a person with a bald head. baldmoney n. (pl. -eys) an aromatic white-flowered umbelliferous mountain plant Meum athamanticum. [ME in sense 'gentian': orig. unkn.] baldric n. hist. a belt for a sword, bugle, etc., hung from the shoulder across the body to the opposite hip. [ME baudry f. OF baudrei: cf. MHG balderich, of unkn. orig.] bale(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a bundle of merchandise or hay etc. tightly wrapped and bound with cords or hoops. 2 the quantity in a bale as a measure, esp. US 500 lb. of cotton. --v.tr. make up into bales. Ьbale (or bail) out 1 (of an airman) make an emergency parachute descent from an aircraft (cf. BAIL(3)). 2 = BAIL(1) v. 2. [ME prob. f. MDu., ult. identical with BALL(1)] bale(2) n. archaic or poet. evil, destruction, woe, pain, misery. [OE b(e)alu] bale(3) var. of BAIL(3). baleen n. whalebone. Ьbaleen whale any of various whales of the suborder Mysticeti, having plates of baleen fringed with bristles for straining plankton from the water. [ME f. OF baleine f. L balaena whale] baleful adj. 1 (esp. of a manner, look, etc.) gloomy, menacing. 2 harmful, malignant, destructive. ЬЬbalefully adv. balefulness n. [BALE(2) + -FUL] baler n. a machine for making bales of hay, straw, metal, etc. Balinese n. & adj. --n. (pl. same) 1 a native of Bali, an island in Indonesia. 2 the language of Bali. --adj. of or relating to Bali or its people or language. balk var. of BAULK. Balkan adj. & n. --adj. 1 of or relating to the region of SE Europe bounded by the Adriatic, the Aegean, and the Black Sea. 2 of or relating to its peoples or countries. --n. (the Balkans) the Balkan countries. [Turk.] balky var. of BAULKY. ball(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a solid or hollow sphere, esp. for use in a game. 2 a a ball-shaped object; material forming the shape of a ball (ball of snow; ball of wool; rolled himself into a ball). b a rounded part of the body (ball of the foot). 3 a solid non-explosive missile for a cannon etc. 4 a single delivery of a ball in cricket, baseball, etc., or passing of a ball in football. 5 (in pl.) coarse sl. a the testicles. b (usu. as an exclam. of contempt) nonsense, rubbish. c = balls-up. d courage, 'guts'. °Sense 5 is usually considered a taboo use. --v. 1 tr. squeeze or wind into a ball. 2 intr. form or gather into a ball or balls. Ьball-and-socket joint Anat. a joint in which a rounded end lies in a concave cup or socket, allowing freedom of movement. ball-bearing 1 a bearing in which the two halves are separated by a ring of small metal balls which reduce friction. 2 one of these balls. ball game 1 a any game played with a ball. b US a game of baseball. 2 esp. US colloq. a particular affair or concern (a whole new ball game). the ball is in your etc. court you etc. must be next to act. ball lightning a rare globular form of lightning. ball-point (pen) a pen with a tiny ball as its writing point. balls (or ball) up coarse sl. bungle; make a mess of. balls-up n. coarse sl. a mess; a confused or bungled situation. have the ball at one's feet have one's best opportunity. keep the ball rolling maintain the momentum of an activity. on the ball colloq. alert. play ball colloq. cooperate. start etc. the ball rolling set an activity in motion; make a start. [ME f. ON b”llr f. Gmc] ball(2) n. 1 a formal social gathering for dancing. 2 sl. an enjoyable time (esp. have a ball). [F bal f. LL ballare to dance] ballad n. 1 a poem or song narrating a popular story. 2 a slow sentimental or romantic song. Ьballad metre = common metre. [ME f. OF balade f. Prov. balada dancing-song f. balar to dance] ballade n. 1 a poem of one or more triplets of stanzas with a repeated refrain and an envoy. 2 Mus. a short lyrical piece, esp. for piano. [earlier spelling and pronunc. of BALLAD] balladeer n. a singer or composer of ballads. balladry n. ballad poetry. ballast n. & v. --n. 1 any heavy material placed in a ship or the car of a balloon etc. to secure stability. 2 coarse stone etc. used to form the bed of a railway track or road. 3 Electr. any device used to stabilize the current in a circuit. 4 anything that affords stability or permanence. --v.tr. 1 provide with ballast. 2 afford stability or weight to. [16th c.: f. LG or Scand., of uncert. orig.] ballboy n. (fem. ballgirl) (in lawn tennis) a boy or girl who retrieves balls that go out of play during a game. ballcock n. a floating ball on a hinged arm, whose movement up and down controls the water level in a cistern. ballerina n. a female ballet-dancer. [It., fem. of ballerino dancing-master f. ballare dance f. LL: see BALL(2)] ballet n. 1 a a dramatic or representational style of dancing and mime, using set steps and techniques and usu. (esp. in classical ballet) accompanied by music. b a particular piece or performance of ballet. c the music for this. 2 a company performing ballet. Ьballet-dancer a dancer who specializes in ballet. ЬЬballetic adj. [F f. It. balletto dimin. of ballo BALL(2)] balletomane n. a devotee of ballet. ЬЬballetomania n. ballista n. (pl. ballistae) a catapult used in ancient warfare for hurling large stones etc. [L f. Gk ballo throw] ballistic adj. 1 of or relating to projectiles. 2 moving under the force of gravity only. Ьballistic missile a missile which is initially powered and guided but falls under gravity on its target. ЬЬballistically adv. [BALLISTA + -IC] ballistics n.pl. (usu. treated as sing.) the science of projectiles and firearms. ballocks var. of BOLLOCKS. ballon d'essai n. (pl. ballons d'essai pronunc. same) an experiment to see how a new policy etc. will be received. [F, = trial balloon] balloon n. & v. --n. 1 a small inflatable rubber pouch with a neck, used as a child's toy or as decoration. 2 a large usu. round bag inflatable with hot air or gas to make it rise in the air, often carrying a basket for passengers. 3 colloq. a balloon shape enclosing the words or thoughts of characters in a comic strip or cartoon. 4 a large globular drinking glass, usu. for brandy. --v. 1 intr. & tr. swell out or cause to swell out like a balloon. 2 intr. travel by balloon. 3 tr. Brit. hit or kick (a ball etc.) high in the air. ЬЬballoonist n. [F ballon or It. ballone large ball] ballot n. & v. --n. 1 a process of voting, in writing and usu. secret. 2 the total of votes recorded in a ballot. 3 the drawing of lots. 4 a paper or ticket etc. used in voting. --v. (balloted, balloting) 1 intr. (usu. foll. by for) a hold a ballot; give a vote. b draw lots for precedence etc. 2 tr. take a ballot of (the union balloted its members). Ьballot-box a sealed box into which voters put completed ballot-papers. ballot-paper a slip of paper used to register a vote. [It. ballotta dimin. of balla BALL(1)] ballpark n. US 1 a baseball ground. 2 (attrib.) colloq. approximate, rough (a ballpark figure). Ьin the right ballpark colloq. close to one's objective; approximately correct. ballroom n. a large room or hall for dancing. Ьballroom dancing formal social dancing as a recreation. bally adj. & adv. Brit. sl. a mild form of bloody (see BLOODY adj. 3) (took the bally lot). [alt. of BLOODY] ballyhoo n. 1 a loud noise or fuss; a confused state or commotion. 2 extravagant or sensational publicity. [19th or 20th c., orig. US (in sense 2): orig. unkn.] ballyrag v.tr. (also bullyrag) (-ragged, -ragging) sl. play tricks on; scold, harass. [18th c.: orig. unkn.] balm n. 1 an aromatic ointment for anointing, soothing, or healing. 2 a fragrant and medicinal exudation from certain trees and plants. 3 a healing or soothing influence or consolation. 4 an Asian and N. African tree yielding balm. 5 any aromatic herb, esp. one of the genus Melissa. 6 a pleasant perfume or fragrance. Ьbalm of Gilead (cf. Jer. 8:22) 1 a a fragrant resin formerly much used as an unguent. b a plant of the genus Commiphora yielding such resin. 2 the balsam fir or poplar. [ME f. OF ba(s)me f. L balsamum BALSAM] balmoral n. 1 a type of brimless boat-shaped cocked hat with a cockade or ribbons attached, usu. worn by certain Scottish regiments. 2 a heavy leather walking-boot with laces up the front. [Balmoral Castle in Scotland] balmy adj. (balmier, balmiest) 1 mild and fragrant; soothing. 2 yielding balm. 3 sl. = BARMY. ЬЬbalmily adv. balminess n. balneology n. the scientific study of bathing and medicinal springs. ЬЬbalneological adj. balneologist n. [L balneum bath + -LOGY] baloney var. of BOLONEY. BALPA abbr. British Air Line Pilots' Association. balsa n. 1 (in full balsa-wood) a type of tough lightweight wood used for making models etc. 2 the tropical American tree, Ochroma lagopus, from which it comes. [Sp., = raft] balsam n. 1 any of several aromatic resinous exudations, such as balm, obtained from various trees and shrubs and used as a base for certain fragrances and medical preparations. 2 an ointment, esp. one composed of a substance dissolved in oil or turpentine. 3 any of various trees or shrubs which yield balsam. 4 any of several flowering plants of the genus Impatiens. 5 a healing or soothing agency. Ьbalsam apple any of various gourdlike plants of the genus Momordica, having warted orange-yellow fruits. balsam fir a N. American tree (Abies balsamea) which yields balsam. balsam poplar any of various N. American poplars, esp. Populus balsamifera, yielding balsam. ЬЬbalsamic adj. [OE f. L balsamum] Baltic n. & adj. --n. 1 (the Baltic) a an almost land-locked sea of NE Europe. b the States bordering this sea. 2 an Indo-European branch of languages including Old Prussian, Lithuanian, Latvian, and Lettish. --adj. of or relating to the Baltic or the branch of languages called Baltic. [med.L Balticus f. LL Balthae dwellers near the Baltic Sea] baluster n. each of a series of often ornamental short posts or pillars supporting a rail or coping etc. °Often confused with banister. [F balustre f. It. balaustro f. L f. Gk balaustion wild-pomegranate flower] balustrade n. a railing supported by balusters, esp. forming an ornamental parapet to a balcony, bridge, or terrace. [F (as BALUSTER)] bambino n. (pl. bambini) colloq. a young (esp. Italian) child. [It., dimin. of bambo silly] bamboo n. 1 a mainly tropical giant woody grass of the subfamily Bambusidae. 2 its hollow jointed stem, used as a stick or to make furniture etc. [Du. bamboes f. Port. mambu f. Malay] bamboozle v.tr. colloq. cheat, hoax, mystify. ЬЬbamboozlement n. bamboozler n. [c.1700: prob. of cant orig.] ban v. & n. --v.tr. (banned, banning) forbid, prohibit, esp. formally. --n. 1 a formal or authoritative prohibition (a ban on smoking). 2 a tacit prohibition by public opinion. 3 a sentence of outlawry. 4 archaic a curse or execration. [OE bannan summon f. Gmc] banal adj. trite, feeble, commonplace. ЬЬbanality n. (pl. -ies). banally adv. [orig. in sense 'compulsory', hence 'common to all', f. F f. ban (as BAN)] banana n. 1 a long curved fruit with soft pulpy flesh and yellow skin when ripe, growing in clusters. 2 (in full banana-tree) the tropical and subtropical treelike plant, Musa sapientum, bearing this. Ьbanana republic derog. a small State, esp. in Central America, dependent on the influx of foreign capital. banana skin 1 the skin of a banana. 2 a cause of upset or humiliation; a blunder. banana split a sweet dish made with split bananas, ice-cream, sauce, etc. go bananas sl. become crazy or angry. [Port. or Sp., f. a name in Guinea] banausic adj. derog. 1 a uncultivated. b materialistic. 2 suitable only for artisans. [Gk banausikos for artisans] Banbury cake n. a flat pastry with a spicy currant filling. [Banbury in S. England, where it was orig. made] banc n. Ьin banc Law sitting as a full court. [AF (= bench) f. med.L (as BANK(2))] band(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a flat, thin strip or loop of material (e.g. paper, metal, or cloth) put round something esp. to hold it together or decorate it (headband). 2 a a strip of material forming part of a garment (hatband; waistband). b a stripe of a different colour or material on an object. 3 a a range of frequencies or wavelengths in a spectrum (esp. of radio frequencies). b a range of values within a series. 4 Mech. a belt connecting wheels or pulleys. 5 (in pl.) a collar having two hanging strips, worn by some lawyers, ministers, and academics in formal dress. 6 archaic a thing that restrains, binds, connects, or unites; a bond. --v.tr. 1 put a band on. 2 a mark with stripes. b (as banded adj.) Bot. & Zool. marked with coloured bands or stripes. Ьband-saw a mechanical saw with a blade formed by an endless toothed band. [ME f. OF bande, bende (sense 6 f. ON band) f. Gmc] band(2) n. & v. --n. 1 an organized group of people having a common object, esp. of a criminal nature (band of cutthroats). 2 a a group of musicians, esp. playing wind instruments (brass band; military band). b a group of musicians playing jazz, pop, or dance music. c colloq. an orchestra. 3 US a herd or flock. --v.tr. & intr. form into a group for a purpose (band together for mutual protection). ЬBand of Hope an association promoting total abstinence from alcohol. [ME f. OF bande, bander, med.L banda, prob. of Gmc orig.] bandage n. & v. --n. 1 a strip of material for binding up a wound etc. 2 a piece of material used as a blindfold. --v.tr. bind (a wound etc.) with a bandage. [F f. bande (as BAND(1))] bandanna n. a large coloured handkerchief or neckerchief, usu. of silk or cotton, and often having white spots. [prob. Port. f. Hindi] b. & b. abbr. bed and breakfast. bandbox n. a usu. circular cardboard box for carrying hats. Ьout of a bandbox extremely neat. [BAND(1) + BOX(1)] bandeau n. (pl. bandeaux) a narrow band worn round the head. [F] banderilla n. a decorated dart thrust into a bull's neck or shoulders during a bullfight. [Sp.] banderole n. (also banderol) 1 a a long narrow flag with a cleft end, flown at a masthead. b an ornamental streamer on a knight's lance. 2 a a ribbon-like scroll. b a stone band resembling a banderole, bearing an inscription. [F banderole f. It. banderuola dimin. of bandiera BANNER] bandicoot n. 1 any of the insect- and plant-eating marsupials of the family Peramelidae. 2 (in full bandicoot rat) Ind. a destructive rat, Bandicota benegalensis. [Telugu pandikokku pig-rat] bandit n. (pl. bandits or banditti) 1 a robber or murderer, esp. a member of a gang; a gangster. 2 an outlaw. ЬЬbanditry n. [It. bandito (pl. -iti), past part. of bandire ban, = med.L bannire proclaim: see BANISH] bandmaster n. the conductor of a (esp. military or brass) band. [BAND(2) + MASTER] bandolier n. (also bandoleer) a shoulder belt with loops or pockets for cartridges. [Du. bandelier or F bandouliЉre, prob. formed as BANDEROLE] bandsman n. (pl. -men) a player in a (esp. military or brass) band. bandstand n. a covered outdoor platform for a band to play on, usu. in a park. bandwagon n. US a wagon used for carrying a band in a parade etc. Ьclimb (or jump) on the bandwagon join a party, cause, or group that seems likely to succeed. bandwidth n. the range of frequencies within a given band (see BAND(1) n. 3a). bandy(1) adj. (bandier, bandiest) 1 (of the legs) curved so as to be wide apart at the knees. 2 (also bandy-legged) (of a person) having bandy legs. [perh. f. obs. bandy curved stick] bandy(2) v.tr. (-ies, -ied) 1 (often foll. by about) a pass (a story, rumour, etc.) to and fro. b throw or pass (a ball etc.) to and fro. 2 (often foll. by about) discuss disparagingly (bandied her name about). 3 (often foll. by with) exchange (blows, insults, etc.) (don't bandy words with me). [perh. f. F bander take sides f. bande BAND(2)] bane n. 1 the cause of ruin or trouble; the curse (esp. the bane of one's life). 2 poet. ruin; woe. 3 archaic (except in comb.) poison (ratsbane). ЬЬbaneful adj. banefully adv. [OE bana f. Gmc] baneberry n. (pl. -ies) 1 a plant of the genus Actaea. 2 the bitter poisonous berry of this plant. bang n., v., & adv. --n. 1 a a loud short sound. b an explosion. c the report of a gun. 2 a a sharp blow. b the sound of this. 3 esp. US a fringe of hair cut straight across the forehead. 4 coarse sl. an act of sexual intercourse. 5 sl. a drug injection (cf. BHANG). --v. 1 tr. & intr. strike or shut noisily (banged the door shut; banged on the table). 2 tr. & intr. make or cause to make the sound of a blow or an explosion. 3 tr. esp. US cut (hair) in a bang. 4 coarse sl. a intr. have sexual intercourse. b tr. have sexual intercourse with. --adv. 1 with a bang or sudden impact. 2 colloq. exactly (bang in the middle). Ьbang off Brit. sl. immediately. bang on Brit. colloq. exactly right. bang-up US sl. first-class, excellent (esp. bang-up job). go bang 1 (of a door etc.) shut noisily. 2 explode. 3 colloq. be suddenly destroyed (bang went their chances). go with a bang go successfully. [16th c.: perh. f. Scand.] banger n. Brit. 1 sl. a sausage. 2 sl. an old car, esp. a noisy one. 3 a loud firework. bangle n. a rigid ornamental band worn round the arm or occas. the ankle. [Hindi bangri glass bracelet] bangtail n. a horse, esp. with its tail cut straight across. Ьbangtail muster Austral. the counting of cattle involving cutting across the tufts at the tail-ends as each is counted. banian var. of BANYAN. banish v.tr. 1 formally expel (a person), esp. from a country. 2 dismiss from one's presence or mind. ЬЬbanishment n. [ME f. OE banir ult. f. Gmc] banister n. (also bannister) 1 (in pl.) the uprights and handrail at the side of a staircase. 2 (usu. in pl.) an upright supporting a handrail. °Often confused with baluster. [earlier barrister, corrupt. of BALUSTER] banjo n. (pl. -os or -oes) a stringed musical instrument with a neck and head like a guitar and an open-backed body consisting of parchment stretched over a metal hoop. ЬЬbanjoist n. [US southern corrupt. of earlier bandore ult. f. Gk pandoura three-stringed lute] bank(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a the sloping edge of land by a river. b the area of ground alongside a river (had a picnic on the bank). 2 a raised shelf of ground; a slope. 3 an elevation in the sea or a river bed. 4 the artificial slope of a road etc., enabling vehicles to maintain speed round a curve. 5 a mass of cloud, fog, snow, etc. 6 the edge of a hollow place (e.g. the top of a mine-shaft). --v. 1 tr. & intr. (often foll. by up) heap or rise into banks. 2 tr. heap up (a fire) tightly so that it burns slowly. 3 a intr. (of a vehicle or aircraft or its occupant) travel with one side higher than the other in rounding a curve. b tr. cause (a vehicle or aircraft) to do this. 4 tr. contain or confine within a bank or banks. 5 tr. build (a road etc.) higher at the outer edge of a bend to enable fast cornering. [ME f. Gmc f. ON banki (unrecorded: cf. OIcel. bakki): rel. to BENCH] bank(2) n. & v. --n. 1 a a financial establishment which uses money deposited by customers for investment, pays it out when required, makes loans at interest, exchanges currency, etc. b a building in which this business takes place. 2 = piggy bank. 3 a the money or tokens held by the banker in some gambling games. b the banker in such games. 4 a place for storing anything for future use (blood bank; data bank). --v. 1 tr. deposit (money or valuables) in a bank. 2 intr. engage in business as a banker. 3 intr. (often foll. by at, with) keep money (at a bank). 4 intr. act as banker in some gambling games. Ьbank balance the amount of money held in a bank account at a given moment. bank-bill 1 Brit. a bill drawn by one bank on another. 2 US = BANKNOTE. bank-book = PASSBOOK. bank card = cheque card. bank holiday a day on which banks are officially closed, (in the UK) usu. kept as a public holiday. bank manager a person in charge of a local branch of a bank. the Bank of England the central bank of England and Wales, issuing banknotes and having the Government as its main customer. bank on rely on (I'm banking on your help). bank statement a printed statement of transactions and balance issued periodically to the holder of a bank account. [F banque or It. banca f. med.L banca, bancus, f. Gmc: rel. to BANK(1)] bank(3) n. 1 a row of similar objects, esp. of keys, lights, or switches. 2 a tier of oars. [ME f. OF banc f. Gmc: rel. to BANK(1), BENCH] bankable adj. 1 acceptable at a bank. 2 reliable (a bankable reputation). banker(1) n. 1 a person who manages or owns a bank or group of banks. 2 a a keeper of the bank or dealer in some gambling games. b a card-game involving gambling. 3 Brit. a result forecast identically (while other forecasts differ) in several football-pool entries on one coupon. Ьbanker's card = cheque card. banker's order an instruction to a bank to pay money or deliver property, signed by the owner or the owner's agent. [F banquier f. banque BANK(2)] banker(2) n. 1 a a fishing boat off Newfoundland. b a Newfoundland fisherman. 2 Austral. colloq. a river flooded to the top of its banks. [BANK(1) + -ER(1)] banking n. the business transactions of a bank. banknote n. a banker's promissory note, esp. from a central bank, payable to the bearer on demand, and serving as money. bankroll n. & v. US --n. 1 a roll of banknotes. 2 funds. --v.tr. colloq. support financially. bankrupt adj., n., & v. --adj. 1 a insolvent; declared in law unable to pay debts. b undergoing the legal process resulting from this. 2 (often foll. by of) exhausted or drained (of some quality etc.); deficient, lacking. --n. 1 a an insolvent person whose estate is administered and disposed of for the benefit of the creditors. b an insolvent debtor. 2 a person exhausted of or deficient in a certain attribute (a moral bankrupt). --v.tr. make bankrupt. ЬЬbankruptcy n. (pl. -ies). [16th c.: f. It banca rotta broken bench (as BANK(2), L rumpere rupt- break), assim. to L] banksia n. any evergreen flowering shrub of the genus Banksia, native to Australia. Ьbanksia rose a Chinese climbing rose with small flowers. [Sir J. Banks, Engl. naturalist d. 1820] banner n. 1 a a large rectangular sign bearing a slogan or design and usu. carried on two side-poles or a crossbar in a demonstration or procession. b a long strip of cloth etc. hung across a street or along the front of a building etc. and bearing a slogan. 2 a slogan or phrase used to represent a belief or principle. 3 a flag on a pole used as the standard of a king, knight, etc., esp. in battle. 4 (attrib.) US excellent, outstanding (a banner year in sales). Ьbanner headline a large newspaper headline, esp. one across the top of the front page. join (or follow) the banner of adhere to the cause of. ЬЬbannered adj. [ME f. AF banere, OF baniere f. Rmc ult. f. Gmc] banneret n. hist. 1 a knight who commanded his own troops in battle under his own banner. 2 a knighthood given on the battlefield for courage. [ME & OF baneret f. baniere BANNER + -et as -ATE(1)] bannister var. of BANISTER. bannock n. Sc. & N.Engl. a round flat loaf, usu. unleavened. [OE bannuc, perh. f. Celt.] banns n.pl. a notice read out on three successive Sundays in a parish church, announcing an intended marriage and giving the opportunity for objections. Ьforbid the banns raise an objection to an intended marriage, esp. in church following the reading of the banns. [pl. of BAN] banquet n. & v. --n. 1 an elaborate usu. extensive feast. 2 a dinner for many people followed by speeches in favour of a cause or in celebration of an event. --v. (banqueted, banqueting) 1 intr. hold a banquet; feast. 2 tr. entertain with a banquet. ЬЬbanqueter n. [F, dimin. of banc bench, BANK(2)] banquette n. 1 an upholstered bench along a wall, esp. in a restaurant or bar. 2 a raised step behind a rampart. [F f. It. banchetta dimin. of banca bench, BANK(2)] banshee n. Ir. & Sc. a female spirit whose wailing warns of a death in a house. [Ir. bean sЎdhe f. OIr. ben sЎde woman of the fairies] bantam n. 1 any of several small breeds of domestic fowl, of which the cock is very aggressive. 2 a small but aggressive person. [app. f. Bantan in Java, although the fowl is not native there] bantamweight n. 1 a weight in certain sports intermediate between flyweight and featherweight, in the amateur boxing scale 51-4 kg but differing for professional boxers, wrestlers, and weightlifters. 2 a sportsman of this weight. banter n. & v. --n. good-humoured teasing. --v. 1 tr. ridicule in a good-humoured way. 2 intr. talk humorously or teasingly. ЬЬbanterer n. [17th c.: orig. unkn.] Bantu n. & adj. --n. (pl. same or Bantus) 1 often offens. a a large group of Negroid peoples of central and southern Africa. b a member of any of these peoples. 2 the group of languages spoken by them. --adj. of or relating to these peoples or languages. [Bantu, = people] Bantustan n. S.Afr. often offens. any of several partially self-governing areas reserved for Black South Africans (see also HOMELAND). [BANTU + -stan as in Hindustan] banyan n. (also banian) 1 an Indian fig tree, Ficus benghalensis, the branches of which hang down and root themselves. 2 a Hindu trader. 3 a loose flannel jacket, shirt, or gown worn in India. [Port. banian f. Gujarati vaniyo man of trading caste, f. Skr.: applied orig. to one such tree under which banyans had built a pagoda] banzai int. 1 a Japanese battle cry. 2 a form of greeting used to the Japanese emperor. [Jap., = ten thousand years (of life to you)] baobab n. an African tree, Adansonia digitata, with an enormously thick trunk and large fruit containing edible pulp. [L (1592), prob. f. an Afr. lang.] BAOR abbr. British Army of the Rhine. bap n. Brit. a soft flattish bread roll. [16th c.: orig. unkn.] baptism n. 1 a the religious rite, symbolizing admission to the Christian Church, of sprinkling the forehead with water, or (usu. only with adults) by immersion, generally accompanied by name-giving. b the act of baptizing or being baptized. 2 an initiation, e.g. into battle. 3 the naming of ships, church bells, etc. Ьbaptism of fire 1 initiation into battle. 2 a painful new undertaking or experience. ЬЬbaptismal adj. [ME f. OF ba(p)te(s)me f. eccl.L baptismus f. eccl.Gk baptismos f. baptizo BAPTIZE] baptist n. 1 a person who baptizes, esp. John the Baptist. 2 (Baptist) a Christian advocating baptism by total immersion, esp. of adults, as a symbol of membership of and initiation into the Church. [ME f. OF baptiste f. eccl.L baptista f. eccl.Gk baptistes f. baptizo BAPTIZE] baptistery n. (also baptistry) (pl. -ies) 1 a the part of a church used for baptism. b hist. a building next to a church, used for baptism. 2 (in a Baptist chapel) a sunken receptacle used for total immersion. [ME f. OF baptisterie f. eccl.L baptisterium f. eccl.Gk baptisterion bathing-place f. baptizo BAPTIZE] baptize v.tr. (also -ise) 1 (also absol.) administer baptism to. 2 give a name or nickname to; christen. [ME f. OF baptiser f. eccl.L baptizare f. Gk baptizo immerse, baptize] bar(1) n., v., & prep. --n. 1 a long rod or piece of rigid wood, metal, etc., esp. used as an obstruction, confinement, fastening, weapon, etc. 2 a something resembling a bar in being (thought of as) straight, narrow, and rigid (bar of soap; bar of chocolate). b a band of colour or light, esp. on a flat surface. c the heating element of an electric fire. d = CROSSBAR. e Brit. a metal strip below the clasp of a medal, awarded as an extra distinction. f a sandbank or shoal at the mouth of a harbour or an estuary. g Brit. a rail marking the end of each chamber in the Houses of Parliament. h Heraldry a narrow horizontal stripe across a shield. 3 a a barrier of any shape. b a restriction (colour bar; a bar to promotion). 4 a a counter in a public house, restaurant, or caf‚ across which alcohol or refreshments are served. b a room in a public house in which customers may sit and drink. c US a public house. d a small shop or stall serving refreshments (snack bar). e a specialized department in a large store (heel bar). 5 a an enclosure in which a prisoner stands in a lawcourt. b a public standard of acceptability, before which a person is said to be tried (bar of conscience). c a plea arresting an action or claim in a law case. d a particular court of law. 6 Mus. a any of the sections of usu. equal time-value into which a musical composition is divided by vertical lines across the staff. b = bar-line. 7 (the Bar) Law a barristers collectively. b the profession of barrister. --v.tr. (barred, barring) 1 a fasten (a door, window, etc.) with a bar or bars. b (usu. foll. by in, out) shut or keep in or out (barred him in). 2 obstruct, prevent (bar his progress). 3 a (usu. foll. by from) prohibit, exclude (bar them from attending). b exclude from consideration (cf. BARRING). 4 mark with stripes. 5 Law prevent or delay (an action) by objection. --prep. 1 except (all were there bar a few). 2 Racing except (the horses indicated: used in stating the odds, indicating the number of horses excluded) (33-1 bar three). Ьbar billiards a form of billiards in which balls are knocked into holes in the table. bar chart a chart using bars to represent quantity. bar-code a machine-readable code in the form of a pattern of stripes printed on and identifying a commodity, used esp. for stock-control. bar-line Mus. a vertical line used to mark divisions between bars. bar none with no exceptions. bar person a barmaid or barman. bar sinister = bend sinister (see BEND(2)). bar tracery tracery with strips of stone across an aperture. be called to the Bar Brit. be admitted as a barrister. be called within the Bar Brit. be appointed a Queen's Counsel. behind bars in prison. the outer Bar barristers who are not Queen's Counsels. [ME f. OF barre, barrer, f. Rmc] bar(2) n. esp. Meteorol. a unit of pressure, 10(5) newton per square metre, approx. one atmosphere. [Gk baros weight] barathea n. a fine woollen cloth, sometimes mixed with silk or cotton, used esp. for coats, suits, etc. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] barb n. & v. --n. 1 a secondary backward-facing projection from an arrow, fish-hook, etc., angled to make extraction difficult. 2 a deliberately hurtful remark. 3 a beardlike filament at the mouth of some fish, e.g. barbel and catfish. 4 any one of the fine hairlike filaments growing from the shaft of a feather, forming the vane. --v.tr. 1 provide (an arrow, a fish-hook, etc.) with a barb or barbs. 2 (as barbed adj.) (of a remark etc.) deliberately hurtful. Ьbarbed wire wire bearing sharp pointed spikes close together and used in fencing, or in warfare as an obstruction. [ME f. OF barbe f. L barba beard] Barbadian n. & adj. --n. 1 a native or national of Barbados in the W. Indies. 2 a person of Barbadian descent. --adj. of or relating to Barbados or its people. barbarian n. & adj. --n. 1 an uncultured or brutish person; a lout. 2 a member of a primitive community or tribe. --adj. 1 rough and uncultured. 2 uncivilized. [orig. of any foreigner with a different language or customs: F barbarien f. barbare (as BARBAROUS)] barbaric adj. 1 brutal; cruel (flogging is a barbaric punishment). 2 rough and uncultured; unrestrained. 3 of or like barbarians and their art or taste; primitive. ЬЬbarbarically adv. [ME f. OF barbarique or L barbaricus f. Gk barbarikos f. barbaros foreign] barbarism n. 1 a the absence of culture and civilized standards; ignorance and rudeness. b an example of this. 2 a word or expression not considered correct; a solecism. 3 anything considered to be in bad taste. [F barbarisme f. L barbarismus f. Gk barbarismos f. barbarizo speak like a foreigner f. barbaros foreign] barbarity n. (pl. -ies) 1 savage cruelty. 2 an example of this. barbarize v.tr. & intr. (also -ise) make or become barbarous. ЬЬbarbarization n. barbarous adj. 1 uncivilized. 2 cruel. 3 coarse and unrefined. ЬЬbarbarously adv. barbarousness n. [orig. of any foreign language or people: f. L f. Gk barbaros foreign] Barbary ape n. a macaque, Macaca sylvana, of N. Africa and Gibraltar. [Barbary, an old name of the western part of N. Africa, ult. f. Arab. barbar BERBER] barbecue n. & v. --n. 1 a a meal cooked on an open fire out of doors, esp. meat grilled on a metal appliance. b a party at which such a meal is cooked and eaten. 2 a the metal appliance used for the preparation of a barbecue. b a fireplace, usu. of brick, containing such an appliance. --v.tr. (barbecues, barbecued, barbecuing) cook (esp. meat) on a barbecue. Ьbarbecue sauce a highly seasoned sauce, usu. containing chillies, in which meat etc. may be cooked. [Sp. barbacoa f. Haitian barbac•a wooden frame on posts] barbel n. 1 any large European freshwater fish of the genus Barbus, with fleshy filaments hanging from its mouth. 2 such a filament growing from the mouth of any fish. [ME f. OF f. LL barbellus dimin. of barbus barbel f. barba beard] barbell n. an iron bar with a series of graded discs at each end, used for weightlifting exercises. [BAR(1) + BELL(1)] barber n. & v. --n. a person who cuts men's hair and shaves or trims beards as an occupation; a men's hairdresser. --v.tr. 1 cut the hair, shave or trim the beard of. 2 cut or trim closely (barbered the grass). Ьbarber-shop (or barber-shop quartet) US colloq. a popular style of close harmony singing for four male voices. barber's pole a spirally painted striped red and white pole hung outside barbers' shops as a business sign. [ME & AF f. OF barbeor f. med.L barbator -oris f. barba beard] barberry n. (pl. -ies) 1 any shrub of the genus Berberis, with spiny shoots, yellow flowers, and ovoid red berries, often grown as hedges. 2 its berry. [ME f. OF berberis, of unkn. orig.: assim. to BERRY] barbet n. any small brightly coloured tropical bird of the family Capitonidae, with bristles at the base of its beak. [F f. barbe beard] barbette n. a platform in a fort or ship from which guns can be fired over a parapet etc. without an embrasure. [F, dimin. of barbe beard] barbican n. the outer defence of a city, castle, etc., esp. a double tower above a gate or drawbridge. [ME f. OF barbacane, of unkn. orig.] barbitone n. (US barbital) a sedative drug. [as BARBITURIC ACID + -ONE, -al as in veronal] barbiturate n. any derivative of barbituric acid used in the preparation of sedative and sleep-inducing drugs. [BARBITURIC + -ATE(1)] barbituric acid n. Chem. an organic acid from which various sedatives and sleep-inducing drugs are derived. [F barbiturique f. G Barbiturs„ure (S„ure acid) f. the name Barbara] barbola n. (in full barbola work) 1 the craft of making small models of fruit, flowers, etc. from a plastic paste. 2 articles, e.g. mirrors, decorated with such models. [arbitr. f. barbotine clay slip for ornamenting pottery] barbule n. a minute filament projecting from the barb of a feather. [L barbula, dimin. of barba beard] barbwire n. US = barbed wire (see BARB). barcarole n. (also barcarolle) 1 a song sung by Venetian gondoliers. 2 music in imitation of this. [F barcarolle f. Venetian It. barcarola boatman's song f. barca boat] bard(1) n. 1 a hist. a Celtic minstrel. b the winner of a prize for Welsh verse at an Eisteddfod. 2 poet. a poet, esp. one treating heroic themes. Ьthe Bard (or the Bard of Avon) Shakespeare. ЬЬbardic adj. [Gael. & Ir. b rd, Welsh bardd, f. OCelt.] bard(2) n. & v. --n. a rasher of fat bacon placed on meat or game before roasting. --v.tr. cover (meat etc.) with bards. [F barde, orig. = horse's breastplate, ult. f. Arab.] bardy n. (pl. -ies) Austral. an edible wood-boring grub. [Aboriginal] bare adj. & v. --adj. 1 (esp. of part of the body) unclothed or uncovered (with bare head). 2 without appropriate covering or contents: a (of a tree) leafless. b unfurnished; empty (bare rooms; the cupboard was bare). c (of a floor) uncarpeted. 3 a undisguised (the bare truth). b unadorned (bare facts). 4 (attrib.) a scanty (a bare majority). b mere (bare necessities). --v.tr. 1 uncover, unsheathe (bared his teeth). 2 reveal (bared his soul). Ьbare contract Law a contract lacking a consideration and therefore void unless under seal. bare of without. with one's bare hands without using tools or weapons. ЬЬbareness n. [OE b‘r, barian f. Gmc] bareback adj. & adv. on an unsaddled horse, donkey, etc. barefaced adj. undisguised; impudent (barefaced cheek). ЬЬbarefacedly adv. barefacedness n. barefoot adj. & adv. (also barefooted) with nothing on the feet. Ьbarefoot doctor a paramedical worker with basic medical training, esp. in China. barЉge n. a silky gauze made from wool or other material. [F f. BarЉges in SW France, where it was orig. made] bareheaded adj. & adv. without a covering for the head. barely adv. 1 only just; scarcely (barely escaped). 2 scantily (barely furnished). 3 archaic openly, explicitly. barf v. & n. sl. --v.intr. vomit or retch. --n. an attack of vomiting. [20th c.: orig. unkn.] barfly n. (pl. -flies) colloq. a person who frequents bars. bargain n. & v. --n. 1 a an agreement on the terms of a transaction or sale. b this seen from the buyer's viewpoint (a bad bargain). 2 something acquired or offered cheaply. --v.intr. (often foll. by with, for) discuss the terms of a transaction (expected him to bargain, but he paid up; bargained with her; bargained for the table). Ьbargain away part with for something worthless (had bargained away the estate). bargain basement the basement of a shop where bargains are displayed. bargain for (or colloq. on) (usu. with neg. actual or implied) be prepared for; expect (didn't bargain for bad weather; more than I bargained for). bargain on rely on. drive a hard bargain pursue one's own profit in a transaction keenly. into (US in) the bargain moreover; in addition to what was expected. make (or strike) a bargain agree a transaction. ЬЬbargainer n. [ME f. OF bargaine, bargaignier, prob. f. Gmc] barge n. & v. --n. 1 a long flat-bottomed boat for carrying freight on canals, rivers, etc. 2 a long ornamental boat used for pleasure or ceremony. 3 a boat used by the chief officers of a man-of-war. --v.intr. 1 (often foll. by around) lurch or rush clumsily about. 2 (foll. by in, into) a intrude or interrupt rudely or awkwardly (barged in while we were kissing). b collide with (barged into her). [ME f. OF perh. f. med.L barica f. Gk baris Egyptian boat] bargeboard n. a board (often ornamental) fixed to the gable-end of a roof to hide the ends of the roof timbers. [perh. f. med.L bargus gallows] bargee n. Brit. a person in charge of or working on a barge. bargepole n. a long pole used for punting barges etc. and for fending off obstacles. Ьwould not touch with a bargepole refuse to be associated or concerned with (a person or thing). barilla n. 1 any plant of the genus Salsola found chiefly in Spain and Sicily. 2 an impure alkali made by burning either this or kelp. [Sp.] barite n. US = BARYTES. baritone n. & adj. --n. 1 a the second-lowest adult male singing voice. b a singer with this voice. c a part written for it. 2 a an instrument that is second-lowest in pitch in its family. b its player. --adj. of the second-lowest range. [It. baritono f. Gk barutonos f. barus heavy + tonos TONE] barium n. Chem. a white reactive soft metallic element of the alkaline earth group. °Symb.: Ba. Ьbarium meal a mixture of barium sulphate and water, which is opaque to X-rays, and is given to patients requiring radiological examination of the stomach and intestines. [BARYTA + -IUM] bark(1) n. & v. --n. 1 the sharp explosive cry of a dog, fox, etc. 2 a sound resembling this cry. --v. 1 intr. (of a dog, fox, etc.) give a bark. 2 tr. & intr. speak or utter sharply or brusquely. 3 intr. cough fiercely. 4 tr. US sell or advertise publicly by calling out. Ьone's bark is worse than one's bite one is not as ferocious as one appears. bark up the wrong tree be on the wrong track; make an effort in the wrong direction. [OE beorcan] bark(2) n. & v. --n. 1 the tough protective outer sheath of the trunks, branches, and twigs of trees or woody shrubs. 2 this material used for tanning leather or dyeing material. --v.tr. 1 graze or scrape (one's shin etc.). 2 strip bark from (a tree etc.). 3 tan or dye (leather etc.) using the tannins found in bark. [ME f. OIcel. b”rkr bark-: perh. rel. to BIRCH] bark(3) n. poet. a ship or boat. [= BARQUE] barkeeper n. (also barkeep) US a person serving drinks in a bar. barkentine esp. US var. of BARQUENTINE. barker n. a tout at an auction, sideshow, etc., who calls out for custom to passers-by. [BARK(1) + -ER(1)] barley n. 1 any of various hardy awned cereals of the genus Hordeum widely used as food and in malt liquors and spirits such as whisky. 2 the grain produced from this (cf. pearl barley). Ьbarley sugar an amber-coloured sweet made of boiled sugar, traditionally shaped as a twisted stick. barley water a drink made from water and a boiled barley mixture. [OE b‘rlic (adj.) f. b‘re, bere barley] barleycorn n. 1 the grain of barley. 2 a former unit of measure (about a third of an inch) based on the length of a grain of barley. barleymow n. Brit. a stack of barley. barm n. 1 the froth on fermenting malt liquor. 2 archaic or dial. yeast or leaven. [OE beorma] barmaid n. a woman serving behind the bar of a public house, hotel, etc. barman n. (pl. -men) a man serving behind the bar of a public house, hotel, etc. barmbrack n. (also barnbrack) Ir. soft spicy bread with currants etc. [Ir. bairigen breac speckled cake] Barmecide adj. & n. --adj. illusory, imaginary; such as to disappoint. --n. a giver of benefits that are illusory or disappointing. [the name of a wealthy man in the Arabian Nights' Entertainments who gave a beggar a feast consisting of ornate but empty dishes] bar mitzvah n. 1 the religious initiation ceremony of a Jewish boy who has reached the age of 13. 2 the boy undergoing this ceremony. [Heb., = 'son of the commandment'] barmy adj. (barmier, barmiest) esp. Brit. sl. crazy, stupid. ЬЬbarmily adv. barminess n. [earlier = frothy, f. BARM] barn(1) n. 1 a large farm building for storing grain etc. 2 derog. a large plain or unattractive building. 3 US a large shed for storing road or railway vehicles. Ьbarn dance 1 an informal social gathering for country dancing, orig. in a barn. 2 a dance for a number of couples forming a line or circle, with couples moving along it in turn. barn-owl a kind of owl, Tyto alba, frequenting barns. [OE bern, beren f. bere barley + ern, ‘rn house] barn(2) n. Physics a unit of area, 10(-28) square metres, used esp. in particle physics. °Symb.: b. [perh. f. phrase 'as big as a barn'] barnacle n. 1 any of various species of small marine crustaceans of the class Cirripedia which in adult form cling to rocks, ships' bottoms, etc. 2 a tenacious attendant or follower who cannot easily be shaken off. Ьbarnacle goose an Arctic goose, Branta leucopsis, which visits Britain in winter. ЬЬbarnacled adj. [ME bernak (= med.L bernaca), of unkn. orig.] barnbrack var. of BARMBRACK. barney n. (pl. -eys) Brit. colloq. a noisy quarrel. [perh. dial.] barnstorm v.intr. 1 tour rural districts giving theatrical performances (formerly often in barns). 2 US make a rapid tour holding political meetings. 3 US Aeron. give informal flying exhibitions; do stunt flying. ЬЬbarnstormer n. barnyard n. the area around a barn; a farmyard. barograph n. a barometer equipped to record its readings. [Gk baros weight + -GRAPH] barometer n. 1 an instrument measuring atmospheric pressure, esp. in forecasting the weather and determining altitude. 2 anything which reflects changes in circumstances, opinions, etc. ЬЬbarometric adj. barometrical adj. barometry n. baron n. 1 a a member of the lowest order of the British nobility. b a similar member of a foreign nobility. 2 an important businessman or other powerful or influential person (sugar baron; newspaper baron). 3 hist. a person who held lands or property from the sovereign or a powerful overlord. Ьbaron of beef an undivided double sirloin. [ME f. AF barun, OF baron f. med.L baro, -onis man, of unkn. orig.] baronage n. 1 barons or nobles collectively. 2 an annotated list of barons or peers. [ME f. OF barnage (as BARON)] baroness n. 1 a woman holding the rank of baron either as a life peerage or as a hereditary rank. 2 the wife or widow of a baron. [ME f. OF baronesse (as BARON)] baronet n. a member of the lowest hereditary order of the British nobility. [ME f. AL baronettus (as BARON)] baronetage n. 1 baronets collectively. 2 an annotated list of baronets. baronetcy n. (pl. -ies) the domain, rank, or tenure of a baronet. baronial adj. of, relating to, or befitting barons. barony n. (pl. -ies) 1 the domain, rank, or tenure of a baron. 2 (in Ireland) a division of a county. 3 (in Scotland) a large manor or estate. [ME f. OF baronie (as BARON)] baroque adj. & n. --adj. 1 highly ornate and extravagant in style, esp. of European art, architecture, and music of the 17th and 18th c. 2 of or relating to this period. --n. 1 the baroque style. 2 baroque art collectively. [F (orig. = 'irregular pearl') f. Port. barroco, of unkn. orig.] barouche n. a horse-drawn carriage with four wheels and a collapsible hood over the rear half, used esp. in the 19th c. [G (dial.) Barutsche f. It. baroccio ult. f. L birotus two-wheeled] barque n. 1 a sailing-ship with the rear mast fore-and-aft-rigged and the remaining (usu. two) masts square-rigged. 2 poet. any boat. [ME f. F prob. f. Prov. barca f. L barca ship's boat] barquentine n. (also barkentine, barquantine) a sailing ship with the foremast square-rigged and the remaining (usu. two) masts fore-and-aft-rigged. [BARQUE after brigantine] barrack(1) n. & v. --n. (usu. in pl., often treated as sing.) 1 a building or building complex used to house soldiers. 2 any building used to accommodate large numbers of people. 3 a large building of a bleak or plain appearance. --v.tr. place (soldiers etc.) in barracks. Ьbarrack-room lawyer Brit. a pompously argumentative person. barrack-square a drill-ground near a barracks. [F baraque f. It. baracca or Sp. barraca soldier's tent, of unkn. orig.] barrack(2) v. Brit. 1 tr. shout or jeer at (players in a game, a performer, speaker, etc.). 2 intr. (of spectators at games etc.) shout or jeer. [app. f. BORAK] barracouta n. (pl. same or barracoutas) 1 a long slender fish, Thyrsites atun, usu. found in southern oceans. 2 NZ a small narrow loaf of bread. [var. of BARRACUDA] barracuda n. (pl. same or barracudas) a large and voracious tropical marine fish of the family Sphyraenidae. [Amer. Sp. barracuda] barrage n. 1 a concentrated artillery bombardment over a wide area. 2 a rapid succession of questions or criticisms. 3 an artificial barrier, esp. in a river. 4 a heat or deciding event in fencing, show jumping, etc. Ьbarrage balloon a large anchored balloon, often with netting suspended from it, used (usu. as one of a series) as a defence against low-flying aircraft. [F f. barrer (as BAR(1))] barramundi n. (pl. same or barramundis) any of various Australian freshwater fishes, esp. Lates calcarifer, used as food. [Aboriginal] barrator n. 1 a malicious person causing discord. 2 hist. a vexatious litigant. [ME f. AF baratour, OF barateor trickster, f. barat deceit] barratry n. 1 fraud or gross negligence of a ship's master or crew at the expense of its owners or users. 2 hist. vexatious litigation or incitement to it. 3 hist. trade in the sale of Church or State appointments. ЬЬbarratrous adj. [ME f. OF baraterie (as BARRATOR)] barre n. a horizontal bar at waist level used in dance exercises. [F] barr‚ n. Mus. a method of playing a chord on the guitar etc. with a finger laid across the strings at a particular fret, raising their pitch. [F, past part. of barrer bar] barrel n. & v. --n. 1 a cylindrical container usu. bulging out in the middle, traditionally made of wooden staves with metal hoops round them. 2 the contents of this. 3 a measure of capacity, usu. varying from 30 to 40 gallons. 4 a cylindrical tube forming part of an object such as a gun or a pen. 5 the belly and loins of a four-legged animal, e.g. a horse. --v. (barrelled, barrelling; US barreled, barreling) 1 tr. put into a barrel or barrels. 2 intr. US sl. drive fast. Ьbarrel-chested having a large rounded chest. barrel-organ a mechanical musical instrument in which a rotating pin-studded cylinder acts on a series of pipe-valves, strings, or metal tongues. barrel roll an aerobatic manoeuvre in which an aircraft follows a single turn of a spiral while rolling once about its longitudinal axis. barrel vault Archit. a vault forming a half cylinder. over a barrel colloq. in a helpless position; at a person's mercy. [ME f. OF baril perh. f. Rmc.: rel to BAR(1)] barren adj. & n. --adj. (barrener, barrenest) 1 a unable to bear young. b unable to produce fruit or vegetation. 2 meagre, unprofitable. 3 dull, unstimulating. 4 (foll. by of) lacking in (barren of wit). --n. a barren tract or tracts of land esp. (in pl.) in N. America. ЬЬbarrenly adv. barrenness n. [ME f. AF barai(g)ne, OF barhaine etc., of unkn. orig.] barricade n. & v. --n. a barrier, esp. one improvised across a street etc. --v.tr. block or defend with a barricade. [F f. barrique cask f. Sp. barrica, rel. to BARREL] barrier n. 1 a fence or other obstacle that bars advance or access. 2 an obstacle or circumstance that keeps people or things apart, or prevents communication (class barriers; a language barrier). 3 anything that prevents progress or success. 4 a gate at a car park, railway station, etc., that controls access. 5 colloq. = sound barrier. Ьbarrier cream a cream used to protect the skin from damage or infection. barrier reef a coral reef separated from the shore by a broad deep channel. [ME f. AF barrere, OF barriere] barring prep. except, not including. [BAR(1) + -ING(2)] barrio n. (pl. -os) (in the US) the Spanish-speaking quarter of a town or city. [Sp., = district of a town] barrister n. (in full barrister-at-law) 1 Brit. a person called to the bar and entitled to practise as an advocate in the higher courts. 2 US a lawyer. [16th c.: f. BAR(1), perh. after minister] barrow(1) n. 1 Brit. a two-wheeled handcart used esp. by street vendors. 2 = WHEELBARROW. 3 a metal frame with two wheels used for transporting luggage etc. Ьbarrow boy Brit. a boy who sells wares from a barrow. [OE bearwe f. Gmc] barrow(2) n. Archaeol. an ancient grave-mound or tumulus. [OE beorg f. Gmc] Bart. abbr. Baronet. bartender n. a person serving behind the bar of a public house. barter v. & n. --v. 1 tr. exchange (goods or services) without using money. 2 intr. make such an exchange. --n. trade by exchange of goods. ЬЬbarterer n. [prob. OF barater: see BARRATOR] bartizan n. Archit. a battlemented parapet or an overhanging corner turret at the top of a castle or church tower. ЬЬbartizaned adj. [var. of bertisene, erron. spelling of bratticing: see BRATTICE] baryon n. Physics an elementary particle that is of equal mass to or greater mass than a proton (i.e. is a nucleon or a hyperon). ЬЬbaryonic adj. [Gk barus heavy + -ON] barysphere n. the dense interior of the earth, including the mantle and core, enclosed by the lithosphere. [Gk barus heavy + sphaira sphere] baryta n. barium oxide or hydroxide. ЬЬbarytic adj. [BARYTES, after soda etc.] barytes n. a mineral form of barium sulphate. [Gk barus heavy, partly assim. to mineral names in -ites] basal adj. 1 of, at, or forming a base. 2 fundamental. Ьbasal metabolism the chemical processes occurring in an organism at complete rest. [BASE(1) + -AL] basalt n. 1 a dark basic volcanic rock whose strata sometimes form columns. 2 a kind of black stoneware resembling basalt. ЬЬbasaltic adj. [L basaltes var. of basanites f. Gk f. basanos touchstone] bascule bridge n. a type of drawbridge which is raised and lowered using counterweights. [F, earlier bacule see-saw f. battre bump + cul buttocks] base(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a a part that supports from beneath or serves as a foundation for an object or structure. b a notional structure or entity on which something draws or depends (power base). 2 a principle or starting-point; a basis. 3 esp. Mil. a place from which an operation or activity is directed. 4 a a main or important ingredient of a mixture. b a substance, e.g. water, in combination with which pigment forms paint etc. 5 a substance used as a foundation for make-up. 6 Chem. a substance capable of combining with an acid to form a salt and water and usu. producing hydroxide ions when dissolved in water. 7 Math. a number in terms of which other numbers or logarithms are expressed (see RADIX). 8 Archit. the part of a column between the shaft and pedestal or pavement. 9 Geom. a line or surface on which a figure is regarded as standing. 10 Surveying a known line used as a geometrical base for trigonometry. 11 Electronics the middle part of a transistor separating the emitter from the collector. 12 Linguistics a root or stem as the origin of a word or a derivative. 13 Baseball etc. one of the four stations that must be reached in turn when scoring a run. 14 Bot. & Zool. the end at which an organ is attached to the trunk. 15 Heraldry the lowest part of a shield. --v.tr. 1 (usu. foll. by on, upon) found or establish (a theory based on speculation; his opinion was soundly based). 2 (foll. by at, in, etc.) station (troops were based in Malta). Ьbase hospital esp. Austral. a hospital in a rural area, or (in warfare) removed from the field of action. base pairing Biochem. complementary binding by means of hydrogen bonds of a purine to a pyrimidine base in opposite strands of nucleic acids. base rate Brit. the interest rate set by the Bank of England, used as the basis for other banks' rates. base unit a unit that is defined arbitrarily and not by combinations of other units. [F base or L basis stepping f. Gk] base(2) adj. 1 lacking moral worth; cowardly, despicable. 2 menial. 3 not pure; alloyed (base coin). 4 (of a metal) low in value (opp. NOBLE, PRECIOUS). ЬЬbasely adv. baseness n. [ME in sense 'of small height', f. F bas f. med.L bassus short (in L as a cognomen)] baseball n. 1 a game played esp. in the US with teams of nine, a bat and ball, and a circuit of four bases which the batsman must complete. 2 the ball used in this game. baseboard n. US a skirting-board. baseless adj. unfounded, groundless. ЬЬbaselessly adv. baselessness n. baseline n. 1 a line used as a base or starting-point. 2 (in lawn tennis) the line marking each end of a court. baseload n. Electr. the permanent load on power supplies etc. baseman n. (pl. -men) Baseball a fielder stationed near a base. basement n. the lowest floor of a building, usu. at least partly below ground level. [prob. Du., perh. f. It. basamento column-base] bases pl. of BASE(1), BASIS. bash v. & n. --v. 1 tr. a strike bluntly or heavily. b (often foll. by up) colloq. attack violently. c (often foll. by down, in, etc.) damage or break by striking forcibly. 2 intr. (foll. by into) collide with. --n. 1 a heavy blow. 2 sl. an attempt (had a bash at painting). 3 sl. a party or social event. [imit., perh. f. bang, smash, dash, etc.] bashful adj. 1 shy, diffident, self-conscious. 2 sheepish. ЬЬbashfully adv. bashfulness n. [obs. bash (v.), = ABASH] BASIC n. a computer programming language using familiar English words, designed for beginners and widely used on microcomputers. [Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code] basic adj. & n. --adj. 1 forming or serving as a base. 2 fundamental. 3 a simplest or lowest in level (basic pay; basic requirements). b vulgar (basic humour). 4 Chem. having the properties of or containing a base. 5 Geol. (of volcanic rocks etc.) having less than 50 per cent silica. 6 Metallurgy of or produced in a furnace etc. which is made of a basic material. --n. (usu. in pl.) the fundamental facts or principles. Ьbasic dye a dye consisting of salts of organic bases. Basic English a simplified form of English limited to 850 selected words intended for international communication. basic industry an industry of fundamental economic importance. basic slag fertilizer containing phosphates formed as a by-product during steel manufacture. basic wage Austral. & NZ the minimum living wage, fixed by industrial tribunal. ЬЬbasically adv. [BASE(1) + -IC] basicity n. Chem. the number of protons with which a base will combine. basidium n. (pl. basidia) a microscopic spore-bearing structure produced by certain fungi. [mod.L f. Gk basidion dimin. of BASIS] basil n. an aromatic herb of the genus Ocimum, esp. O. basilicum (in full sweet basil), whose leaves are used as a flavouring in savoury dishes. [ME f. OF basile f. med.L basilicus f. Gk basilikos royal] basilar adj. of or at the base (esp. of the skull). [mod.L basilaris (as BASIS)] basilica n. 1 an ancient Roman public hall with an apse and colonnades, used as a lawcourt and place of assembly. 2 a similar building used as a Christian church. 3 a church having special privileges from the Pope. ЬЬbasilican adj. [L f. Gk basilike (oikia, stoa) royal (house, portico) f. basileus king] basilisk n. 1 a mythical reptile with a lethal breath and look. 2 any small American lizard of the genus Basiliscus, with a crest from its back to its tail. 3 Heraldry a cockatrice. [ME f. L basiliscus f. Gk basiliskos kinglet, serpent] basin n. 1 a wide shallow open container, esp. a fixed one for holding water. 2 a hollow rounded depression. 3 any sheltered area of water where boats can moor safely. 4 a round valley. 5 an area drained by rivers and tributaries. 6 Geol. a a rock formation where the strata dip towards the centre. b an accumulation of rock strata formed in this dip as a result of subsidence and sedimentation. ЬЬbasinful n. (pl. -fuls). [ME f. OF bacin f. med.L ba(s)cinus, perh. f. Gaulish] basipetal adj. Bot. (of each new part produced) developing nearer the base than the previous one did. ЬЬbasipetally adv. [BASIS + L petere seek] basis n. (pl. bases) 1 the foundation or support of something, esp. an idea or argument. 2 the main or determining principle or ingredient (on a purely friendly basis). 3 the starting-point for a discussion etc. [L f. Gk, = BASE(1)] bask v.intr. 1 sit or lie back lazily in warmth and light (basking in the sun). 2 (foll. by in) derive great pleasure (from) (basking in glory). Ьbasking shark a very large shark, Cetorhinus maximus, which often lies near the surface. [ME, app. f. ON: rel. to BATHE] basket n. 1 a container made of interwoven cane etc. 2 a container resembling this. 3 the amount held by a basket. 4 the goal in basketball, or a goal scored. 5 Econ. a group or range (of currencies). 6 euphem. colloq. bastard. Ьbasket weave a weave resembling that of a basket. ЬЬbasketful n. (pl. -fuls). [AF & OF basket, AL baskettum, of unkn. orig.] basketball n. 1 a game between two teams of five or six, in which goals are scored by making the ball drop through hooped nets fixed high up at each end of the court. 2 the ball used in this game. basketry n. 1 the art of making baskets. 2 baskets collectively. basketwork n. 1 material woven in the style of a basket. 2 the art of making this. basmati n. (in full basmati rice) a superior kind of Indian rice. [Hindi, = fragrant] Basque n. & adj. --n. 1 a member of a people of the Western Pyrenees. 2 the language of this people. --adj. of or relating to the Basques or their language. [F f. L Vasco -onis] basque n. a close-fitting bodice extending from the shoulders to the waist and often with a short continuation below waist level. [BASQUE] bas-relief n. sculpture or carving in which the figures project slightly from the background. [earlier basse relieve f. It. basso rilievo low relief: later altered to F form] bass(1) n. & adj. --n. 1 a the lowest adult male singing voice. b a singer with this voice. c a part written for it. 2 the lowest part in harmonized music. 3 a an instrument that is the lowest in pitch in its family. b its player. 4 colloq. a a bass guitar or double-bass. b its player. 5 the low-frequency output of a radio, record-player, etc., corresponding to the bass in music. --adj. 1 lowest in musical pitch. 2 deep-sounding. Ьbass clef a clef placing F below middle C on the second highest line of the staff. bass viol 1 a a viola da gamba. b its player. 2 US a double-bass. ЬЬbassist n. (in sense 4). [alt. of BASE(2) after It. basso] bass(2) n. (pl. same or basses) 1 the common perch. 2 a a marine fish of the family Serranidae, with spiny fins. b a similar N. American marine fish, Morone saxatilis. 3 any of various American freshwater fish, esp. Micropterus salmoides. [earlier barse f. OE b‘rs] bass(3) n. = BAST. [alt. f. BAST] basset n. (in full basset-hound) 1 a sturdy hunting-dog of a breed with a long body, short legs, and big ears. 2 this breed. [F, dimin. of bas basse low: see BASE(2)] basset-horn n. an alto clarinet in F, with a dark tone. [G, transl. of F cor de bassette f. It. corno di bassetto f. corno horn + bassetto dimin. of basso BASE(2)] bassinet n. a child's wicker cradle, usu. with a hood. [F, dimin. of bassin BASIN] basso n. (pl. -os or bassi) a singer with a bass voice. Ьbasso profondo a bass singer with an exceptionally low range. [It., = BASS(1); profondo deep] bassoon n. 1 a a bass instrument of the oboe family, with a double reed. b its player. 2 an organ stop with the quality of a bassoon. ЬЬbassoonist n. (in sense 1). [F basson f. bas BASS(1)] basso-rilievo n. (pl. -os) = BAS-RELIEF. [It.] basswood n. 1 the American lime, Tilia americana. 2 the wood of this tree. [BASS(3) + WOOD] bast n. the inner bark of lime, or other flexible fibrous bark, used as fibre in matting etc. [OE b‘st f. Gmc] bastard n. & adj. --n. 1 a person born of parents not married to each other. 2 sl. a an unpleasant or despicable person. b a person of a specified kind (poor bastard; rotten bastard; lucky bastard). 3 sl. a difficult or awkward thing, undertaking, etc. --adj. 1 born of parents not married to each other; illegitimate. 2 (of things): a unauthorized, counterfeit. b hybrid. ЬЬbastardy n. (in sense 1 of n.). [ME f. OF f. med.L bastardus, perh. f. bastum pack-saddle] bastardize v.tr. (also -ise) 1 declare (a person) illegitimate. 2 corrupt, debase. ЬЬbastardization n. baste(1) v.tr. moisten (meat) with gravy or melted fat during cooking. [16th c.: orig. unkn.] baste(2) v.tr. stitch loosely together in preparation for sewing; tack. [ME f. OF bastir sew lightly, ult. f. Gmc] baste(3) v.tr. beat soundly; thrash. [perh. figurative use of BASTE(1)] bastille n. hist. a fortress or prison. [ME f. OF bastille f. Prov. bastir build: orig. of the fortress and prison in Paris, destroyed in 1789] bastinado n. & v. --n. punishment by beating with a stick on the soles of the feet. --v.tr. (-oes, -oed) punish (a person) in this way. [Sp. bastonada f. baston BATON] bastion n. 1 a projecting part of a fortification built at an angle of, or against the line of, a wall. 2 a thing regarded as protecting (bastion of freedom). 3 a natural rock formation resembling a bastion. [F f. It. bastione f. bastire build] bat(1) n. & v. --n. 1 an implement with a handle, usu. of wood and with a flat or curved surface, used for hitting balls in games. 2 a turn at using this. 3 a batsman, esp. in cricket, usu. described in some way (an excellent bat). 4 (usu. in pl.) an object like a table-tennis bat used to guide aircraft when taxiing. --v. (batted, batting) 1 tr. hit with or as with a bat. 2 intr. take a turn at batting. Ьbat around 1 sl. potter aimlessly. 2 US discuss (an idea or proposal). off one's own bat unprompted, unaided. right off the bat US immediately. [ME f. OE batt club, perh. partly f. OF batte club f. battre strike] bat(2) n. any mouselike nocturnal mammal of the order Chiroptera, capable of flight by means of membranous wings extending from its forelimbs. Ьhave bats in the belfry be eccentric or crazy. like a bat out of hell very fast. [16th c., alt. of ME bakke f. Scand.] bat(3) v.tr. (batted, batting) wink (one's eyelid) (now usu. in phr.). Ьnot (or never) bat an eyelid colloq. show no reaction or emotion. [var. of obs. bate flutter] batch n. & v. --n. 1 a number of things or persons forming a group or dealt with together. 2 an instalment (have sent off the latest batch). 3 the loaves produced at one baking. 4 (attrib.) using or dealt with in batches, not as a continuous flow (batch production). 5 Computing a group of records processed as a single unit. --v.tr. arrange or deal with in batches. [ME f. OE b‘cce f. bacan BAKE] bate n. (also bait) Brit. sl. a rage; a cross mood (is in an awful bate). [BAIT(1) = state of baited person] bateau n. (pl. bateaux) a light river-boat, esp. of the flat-bottomed kind used in Canada. [F, = boat] bated adj. Ьwith bated breath very anxiously. [past part. of obs. bate (v.) restrain, f. ABATE] bateleur n. a short-tailed African eagle, Terathopius ecaudatus. [F, = juggler] bath n. & v. --n. (pl. baths) 1 a (in full bath-tub) a container for liquid, usu. water, used for immersing and washing the body. b this with its contents (your bath is ready). 2 the act or process of immersing the body for washing or therapy (have a bath; take a bath). 3 a a vessel containing liquid in which something is immersed, e.g. a film for developing, for controlling temperature, etc. b this with its contents. 4 (usu. in pl.) a building with baths or a swimming pool, usu. open to the public. --v. Brit. 1 tr. wash (esp. a person) in a bath. 2 intr. take a bath. Ьbath cube a cube of compacted bath salts. bath salts soluble salts used for softening or scenting bath-water. [OE b‘th f. Gmc] Bath bun n. Brit. a round spiced kind of bun with currants, often iced. [Bath in S. England, named from its hot springs] Bath chair n. a wheelchair for invalids. Bath chap see CHAP(3). bathe v. & n. --v. 1 intr. immerse oneself in water, esp. to swim or esp. US wash oneself. 2 tr. immerse in or wash or treat with liquid esp. for cleansing or medicinal purposes. 3 tr. (of sunlight etc.) envelop. --n. Brit. immersion in liquid, esp. to swim. Ьbathing-costume (or -suit) a garment worn for swimming. [OE bathian f. Gmc] bather n. 1 a person who bathes. 2 (in pl.) Austral. a bathing-suit. bathhouse n. a building with baths for public use. batholith n. a dome of igneous rock extending inwards to an unknown depth. [G f. Gk bathos depth + -LITH] Bath Oliver n. Brit. propr. a kind of savoury biscuit. [Dr W. Oliver of Bath d. 1764, who invented it] bathometer n. an instrument used to measure the depth of water. [Gk bathos depth + -METER] bathos n. an unintentional lapse in mood from the sublime to the absurd or trivial; a commonplace or ridiculous feature offsetting an otherwise sublime situation; an anticlimax. ЬЬbathetic adj. bathotic adj. [Gk, = depth] bathrobe n. US a loose coat usu. of towelling worn before and after taking a bath. bathroom n. 1 a room containing a bath and usu. other washing facilities. 2 esp. US a room containing a lavatory. bathyscaphe n. a manned vessel for deep-sea diving. [Gk bathus deep + skaphos ship] bathysphere n. a spherical vessel for deep-sea observation. [Gk bathus deep + SPHERE] batik n. a method (orig. used in Java) of producing coloured designs on textiles by applying wax to the parts to be left uncoloured; a piece of cloth treated in this way. [Jav., = painted] batiste n. & adj. --n. a fine linen or cotton cloth. --adj. made of batiste. [F (earlier batiche), perh. rel. to battre BATTER(1)] batman n. (pl. -men) Mil. an attendant serving an officer. [OF bat, bast f. med.L bastum pack-saddle + MAN] baton n. 1 a thin stick used by a conductor to direct an orchestra, choir, etc. 2 Athletics a short stick or tube carried and passed on by the runners in a relay race. 3 a long stick carried and twirled by a drum major. 4 a staff of office or authority, esp. a Field Marshal's. 5 a policeman's truncheon. 6 Heraldry a narrow truncated bend. 7 Horol. a short bar replacing some figures on dials. Ьbaton round a rubber or plastic bullet. [F bѓton, baston ult. f. LL bastum stick] batrachian n. & adj. --n. any of the amphibians that discard gills and tails, esp. the frog and toad. --adj. of or relating to the batrachians. [Gk batrakhos frog] bats predic.adj. sl. crazy. [f. phr. (have) bats in the belfry: see BAT(2)] batsman n. (pl. -men) 1 a person who bats or is batting, esp. in cricket. 2 a signaller using bats to guide aircraft on the ground. ЬЬbatsmanship n. (in sense 1). battalion n. 1 a large body of men ready for battle, esp. an infantry unit forming part of a brigade. 2 a large group of people pursuing a common aim or sharing a major undertaking. [F battaillon f. It. battaglione f. battaglia BATTLE] battels n.pl. Brit. an Oxford college account for expenses, esp. for board and the supply of provisions. [perh. f. obs. battle (v.) fatten f. obs. battle (adj.) nutritious: cf. BATTEN(2)] batten(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a long flat strip of squared timber or metal, esp. used to hold something in place or as a fastening against a wall etc. 2 a strip of wood used for clamping the boards of a door etc. 3 Naut. a strip of wood or metal for securing a tarpaulin over a ship's hatchway. --v.tr. strengthen or fasten with battens. Ьbatten down the hatches 1 Naut. secure a ship's tarpaulins. 2 prepare for a difficulty or crisis. [OF batant part. of batre beat f. L battuere] batten(2) v.intr. (foll. by on) thrive or prosper at another's expense. [ON batna get better f. bati advantage] Battenberg n. a kind of oblong cake, usu. of two colours of sponge and covered with marzipan. [Battenberg in Germany] batter(1) v. 1 a tr. strike repeatedly with hard blows, esp. so as to cause visible damage. b intr. (often foll. by against, at, etc.) strike repeated blows; pound heavily and insistently (batter at the door). 2 tr. (often in passive) a handle roughly, esp. over a long period. b censure or criticize severely. Ьbattered baby an infant that has suffered repeated violence from adults, esp. its parents. battered wife a wife subjected to repeated violence by her husband. battering-ram hist. a heavy beam, orig. with an end in the form of a carved ram's head, used in breaching fortifications. ЬЬbatterer n. [ME f. AF baterer f. OF batre beat f. L battuere] batter(2) n. 1 a fluid mixture of flour, egg, and milk or water, used in cooking, esp. for pancakes and for coating food before frying. 2 Printing an area of damaged type. [ME f. AF batour f. OF bateЃre f. batre: see BATTER(1)] batter(3) n. Sport a player batting, esp. in baseball. batter(4) n. & v. --n. 1 a wall etc. with a sloping face. 2 a receding slope. --v.intr. have a receding slope. [ME: orig. unkn.] battered adj. (esp. of fish) coated in batter and deep-fried. battery n. (pl. -ies) 1 a usu. portable container of a cell or cells carrying an electric charge, as a source of current. 2 (often attrib.) esp. Brit. a series of cages for the intensive breeding and rearing of poultry or cattle. 3 a set of similar units of equipment, esp. connected. 4 a series of tests, esp. psychological. 5 a a fortified emplacement for heavy guns. b an artillery unit of guns, men, and vehicles. 6 Law an act inflicting unlawful personal violence on another (see ASSAULT). 7 Baseball the pitcher and the catcher. [F batterie f. batre, battre strike f. L battuere] batting n. 1 the action of hitting with a bat. 2 cotton wadding prepared in sheets for use in quilts etc. Ьbatting order the order in which people act or take their turn, esp. of batsmen in cricket. battle n. & v. --n. 1 a prolonged fight between large organized armed forces. 2 a contest; a prolonged or difficult struggle (life is a constant battle; a battle of wits). --v. 1 intr. struggle; fight persistently (battled against the elements; battled for women's rights). 2 tr. fight (one's way etc.). 3 tr. US engage in battle with. Ьbattle-cruiser hist. a heavy-gunned ship faster and more lightly armoured than a battleship. battle-cry a cry or slogan of participants in a battle or contest. battle fatigue = combat fatigue. battle royal 1 a battle in which several combatants or all available forces engage; a free fight. 2 a heated argument. half the battle the key to the success of an undertaking. ЬЬbattler n. [ME f. OF bataille ult. f. LL battualia gladiatorial exercises f. L battuere beat] battleaxe n. 1 a large axe used in ancient warfare. 2 colloq. a formidable or domineering older woman. battledore n. hist. 1 a (in full battledore and shuttlecock) a game played with a shuttlecock and rackets. b the racket used in this. 2 a kind of wooden utensil like a paddle, formerly used in washing, baking, etc. [15th c., perh. f. Prov. batedor beater f. batre beat] battledress n. the everyday uniform of a soldier. battlefield n. (also battleground) the piece of ground on which a battle is or was fought. battlement n. (usu. in pl.) 1 a parapet with recesses along the top of a wall, as part of a fortification. 2 a section of roof enclosed by this (walking on the battlements). ЬЬbattlemented adj. [OF bataillier furnish with ramparts + -MENT] battleship n. a warship with the heaviest armour and the largest guns. battue n. 1 a the driving of game towards hunters by beaters. b a shooting-party arranged in this way. 2 wholesale slaughter. [F, fem. past part. of battre beat f. L battuere] batty adj. (battier, battiest) sl. crazy. ЬЬbattily adv. battiness n. [BAT(2) + -Y(1)] batwing adj. (esp. of a sleeve or a flame) shaped like the wing of a bat. batwoman n. (pl. -women) a female attendant serving an officer in the women's services. [as BATMAN + WOMAN] bauble n. 1 a showy trinket or toy of little value. 2 a baton formerly used as an emblem by jesters. [ME f. OF ba(u)bel child's toy, of unkn. orig.] baud n. (pl. same or bauds) Computing etc. 1 a unit used to express the speed of electronic code signals, corresponding to one information unit per second. 2 (loosely) a unit of data-transmission speed of one bit per second. [J. M. E. Baudot, Fr. engineer d. 1903] Bauhaus n. 1 a German school of architectural design (1919-33). 2 its principles, based on functionalism and development of existing skills. [G f. Bau building + Haus house] baulk v. & n. (also balk) --v. 1 intr. a refuse to go on. b (often foll. by at) hesitate. 2 tr. a thwart, hinder. b disappoint. 3 tr. a miss, let slip (a chance etc.). b ignore, shirk. --n. 1 a hindrance; a stumbling-block. 2 a a roughly-squared timber beam. b a tie-beam of a house. 3 Billiards etc. the area on a billiard-table from which a player begins a game. 4 Baseball an illegal action made by a pitcher. 5 a ridge left unploughed between furrows. ЬЬbaulker n. [OE balc f. ON b lkr f. Gmc] baulky adj. (also balky) (-ier, -iest) reluctant, perverse. ЬЬbaulkiness n. [BAULK + -Y(1)] bauxite n. a claylike mineral containing varying proportions of alumina, the chief source of aluminium. ЬЬbauxitic adj. [F f. Les Baux near Arles in S. France + -ITE(1)] bawd n. a woman who runs a brothel. [ME bawdstrot f. OF baudetrot, baudestroyt procuress] bawdy adj. & n. --adj. (bawdier, bawdiest) humorously indecent. --n. bawdy talk or writing. Ьbawdy-house a brothel. ЬЬbawdily adv. bawdiness n. [BAWD + -Y(1)] bawl v. 1 tr. speak or call out noisily. 2 intr. weep loudly. Ьbawl out colloq. reprimand angrily. ЬЬbawler n. [imit.: cf. med.L baulare bark, Icel. baula (Sw. b”la) to low] bay(1) n. 1 a broad inlet of the sea where the land curves inwards. 2 a recess in a mountain range. ЬBay State US Massachusetts. [ME f. OF baie f. OSp. bahia] bay(2) n. 1 (in full bay laurel) a laurel, Laurus nobilis, having deep green leaves and purple berries. Also called SWEET BAY. 2 (in pl.) a wreath made of bay-leaves, for a victor or poet. Ьbay-leaf the aromatic (usu. dried) leaf of the bay-tree, used in cooking. bay rum a perfume, esp. for the hair, distilled orig. from bayberry leaves in rum. [OF baie f. L baca berry] bay(3) n. 1 a space created by a window-line projecting outwards from a wall. 2 a recess; a section of wall between buttresses or columns, esp. in the nave of a church etc. 3 a compartment (bomb bay). 4 an area specially allocated or marked off (sick bay; loading bay). 5 Brit. the terminus of a branch line at a railway station also having through lines, usu. at the side of an outer platform. Ьbay window a window built into a bay. [ME f. OF baie f. ba(y)er gape f. med.L batare] bay(4) adj. & n. --adj. (esp. of a horse) dark reddish-brown. --n. a bay horse with a black mane and tail. [OF bai f. L badius] bay(5) v. & n. --v. 1 intr. (esp. of a large dog) bark or howl loudly and plaintively. 2 tr. bay at. --n. the sound of baying, esp. in chorus from hounds in close pursuit. Ьat bay 1 cornered, apparently unable to escape. 2 in a desperate situation. bring to bay gain on in pursuit; trap. hold (or keep) at bay hold off (a pursuer). stand at bay turn to face one's pursuers. [ME f. OF bai, baiier bark f. It. baiare, of imit. orig.] bayberry n. (pl. -ies) any of various N. American plants of the genus Myrica, having aromatic leaves and bearing berries covered in a wax coating. [BAY(2) + BERRY] bayonet n. & v. --n. 1 a stabbing blade attachable to the muzzle of a rifle. 2 an electrical or other fitting engaged by being pushed into a socket and twisted. --v.tr. (bayoneted, bayoneting) stab with a bayonet. [F ba‹onnette, perh. f. Bayonne in SW France, where they were first made] bayou n. a marshy offshoot of a river etc. in the southern US. [Amer. F: cf. Choctau bayuk] bazaar n. 1 a market in an oriental country. 2 a fund-raising sale of goods, esp. for charity. 3 a large shop selling fancy goods etc. [Pers. bazar, prob. through Turk. and It.] bazooka n. 1 a tubular short-range rocket-launcher used against tanks. 2 a crude trombone-like musical instrument. [app. f. bazoo mouth, of unkn. orig.] 3.0 BB... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- BB abbr. double-black (pencil-lead). BBC abbr. British Broadcasting Corporation. ЬBBC English English as supposedly pronounced by BBC announcers. bbl. abbr. barrels (esp. of oil). 4.0 BC... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- BC abbr. British Columbia. BC abbr. (of a date) before Christ. BCD n. Computing a code representing decimal numbers as a string of binary digits. [abbr. for binary coded decimal] BCE abbr. before the Common Era. BCG abbr. Bacillus Calmette-Gu‚rin, an anti-tuberculosis vaccine. 5.0 BD... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- BD abbr. Bachelor of Divinity. Bde abbr. Brigade. bdellium n. 1 any of various trees, esp. of the genus Commiphora, yielding resin. 2 this fragrant resin used in perfumes. [L f. Gk bdellion f. Heb. bedholah] Bdr. abbr. (before a name) Bombardier. BDS abbr. Bachelor of Dental Surgery. 6.0 BE... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- BE abbr. 1 Bachelor of Education. 2 Bachelor of Engineering. 3 bill of exchange. Be symb. Chem. the element beryllium. be v. & v.aux. (sing. present am; are; is; pl. present are; 1st and 3rd sing. past was; 2nd sing. past and pl. past were; present subj. be; past subj. were; pres. part. being; past part. been) --v.intr. 1 (often prec. by there) exist, live (I think, therefore I am; there is a house on the corner; there is no God). 2 a occur; take place (dinner is at eight). b occupy a position in space (he is in the garden; she is from abroad; have you been to Paris?). 3 remain, continue (let it be). 4 linking subject and predicate, expressing: a identity (she is the person; today is Thursday). b condition (he is ill today). c state or quality (he is very kind; they are my friends). d opinion (I am against hanging). e total (two and two are four). f cost or significance (it is њ5 to enter; it is nothing to me). --v.aux. 1 with a past participle to form the passive mood (it was done; it is said; we shall be helped). 2 with a present participle to form continuous tenses (we are coming; it is being cleaned). 3 with an infinitive to express duty or commitment, intention, possibility, destiny, or hypothesis (I am to tell you; we are to wait here; he is to come at four; it was not to be found; they were never to meet again; if I were to die). 4 archaic with the past participle of intransitive verbs to form perfect tenses (the sun is set; Babylon is fallen). Ьbe about occupy oneself with (is about his business). be-all and end-all colloq. (often foll. by of) the whole being or essence. be at occupy oneself with (what is he at?; mice have been at the food). been (or been and gone) and sl. an expression of protest or surprise (he's been and taken my car!). be off colloq. go away; leave. be that as it may see MAY. -to-be of the future (in comb. : bride-to-be). [OE beo(m), (e)am, is, (e)aron; past f. OE w‘s f. wesan to be; there are numerous Gmc cognates] be- prefix forming verbs: 1 (from transitive verbs) a all over; all round (beset; besmear). b thoroughly, excessively (begrudge; belabour). 2 (from intransitive verbs) expressing transitive action (bemoan; bestride). 3 (from adjectives and nouns) expressing transitive action (befool; befoul). 4 (from nouns) a affect with (befog). b treat as (befriend). c (forming adjectives in -ed) having; covered with (bejewelled; bespectacled). [OE be-, weak form of bi BY as in bygone, byword, etc.] BEA abbr. British Epilepsy Association. beach n. & v. --n. a pebbly or sandy shore esp. of the sea between high- and low-water marks. --v.tr. run or haul up (a boat etc.) on to a beach. Ьbeach-ball a large inflated ball for games on the beach. beach buggy a low wide-wheeled motor vehicle for recreational driving on sand. beach plum 1 a maritime N. American shrub, Prunus maritima. 2 its edible fruit. [16th c.: orig. unkn.] beachcomber n. 1 a vagrant who lives by searching beaches for articles of value. 2 a long wave rolling in from the sea. beachhead n. Mil. a fortified position established on a beach by landing forces. [after bridgehead] Beach-la-mar n. Brit. = BISLAMA. [corrupt. f. Port. bicho do mar B°CHE-DE-MER] beacon n. 1 a a fire or light set up in a high or prominent position as a warning etc. b Brit. (now often in place-names) a hill suitable for this. 2 a visible warning or guiding point or device (e.g. a lighthouse, navigation buoy, etc.). 3 a radio transmitter whose signal helps fix the position of a ship or aircraft. 4 Brit. = BELISHA BEACON. [OE beacn f. WG] bead n. & v. --n. 1 a a small usu. rounded and perforated piece of glass, stone, etc., for threading with others to make jewellery, or sewing on to fabric, etc. b (in pl.) a string of beads; a rosary. 2 a drop of liquid; a bubble. 3 a small knob in the foresight of a gun. 4 the inner edge of a pneumatic tyre that grips the rim of the wheel. 5 Archit. a a moulding like a series of beads. b a narrow moulding with a semicircular cross-section. --v. 1 tr. furnish or decorate with beads. 2 tr. string together. 3 intr. form or grow into beads. Ьdraw a bead on take aim at. tell one's beads use the beads of a rosary etc. in counting prayers. ЬЬbeaded adj. [orig. = 'prayer' (for which the earliest use of beads arose): OE gebed f. Gmc, rel. to BID] beading n. 1 decoration in the form of or resembling a row of beads, esp. lacelike looped edging. 2 Archit. a bead moulding. 3 the bead of a tyre. beadle n. 1 Brit. a ceremonial officer of a church, college, etc. 2 Sc. a church officer attending on the minister. 3 Brit. hist. a minor parish officer dealing with petty offenders etc. ЬЬbeadleship n. [ME f. OF bedel ult. f. Gmc] beadsman n. (pl. -men) hist. 1 a pensioner provided for by a benefactor in return for prayers. 2 an inmate of an almshouse. beady adj. (beadier, beadiest) 1 (of the eyes) small, round, and bright. 2 covered with beads or drops. Ьbeady-eyed with beady eyes. ЬЬbeadily adv. beadiness n. beagle n. & v. --n. 1 a a small hound of a breed with a short coat, used for hunting hares. b this breed. 2 hist. an informer or spy; a constable. --v.intr. (often as beagling n.) hunt with beagles. ЬЬbeagler n. [ME f. OF beegueule noisy person, prob. f. beer open wide + gueule throat] beak(1) n. 1 a a bird's horny projecting jaws; a bill. b the similar projecting jaw of other animals, e.g. a turtle. 2 sl. a hooked nose. 3 Naut. hist. the projection at the prow of a warship. 4 a spout. ЬЬbeaked adj. beaky adj. [ME f. OF bec f. L beccus, of Celt. orig.] beak(2) n. Brit. sl. 1 a magistrate. 2 a schoolmaster. [19th c.: prob. f. thieves' cant] beaker n. 1 a tall drinking-vessel, usu. of plastic and tumbler-shaped. 2 a lipped cylindrical glass vessel for scientific experiments. 3 archaic or literary a large drinking-vessel with a wide mouth. ЬBeaker Folk Archaeol. a people thought to have come to Britain from Central Europe in the early Bronze Age, named after beaker-shaped pottery found in their graves. [ME f. ON bikarr, perh. f. Gk bikos drinking-bowl] beam n. & v. --n. 1 a long sturdy piece of squared timber or metal spanning an opening or room, usu. to support the structure above. 2 a a ray or shaft of light. b a directional flow of particles or radiation. 3 a bright look or smile. 4 a a series of radio or radar signals as a guide to a ship or aircraft. b the course indicated by this (off beam). 5 the crossbar of a balance. 6 a a ship's breadth at its widest point. b the width of a person's hips (esp. broad in the beam). 7 (in pl.) the horizontal cross-timbers of a ship supporting the deck and joining the sides. 8 the side of a ship (land on the port beam). 9 the chief timber of a plough. 10 the cylinder in a loom on which the warp or cloth is wound. 11 the main stem of a stag's antlers. 12 the lever in an engine connecting the piston-rod and crank. 13 the shank of an anchor. --v. 1 tr. emit or direct (light, radio waves, etc.). 2 intr. a shine. b look or smile radiantly. Ьbeam-compass (or -compasses) compasses with a beam connecting sliding sockets, used for large circles. a beam in one's eye a fault that is greater in oneself than in the person one is finding fault with (see Matt. 7:3). off beam colloq. mistaken. on the beam colloq. on the right track. on the beam-ends (of a ship) on its side; almost capsizing. on one's beam-ends near the end of one's resources. [OE beam tree f. WG] beamer n. Cricket colloq. a ball bowled at a batsman's head. beamy adj. (of a ship) broad-beamed. bean n. & v. --n. 1 a any kind of leguminous plant with edible usu. kidney-shaped seeds in long pods. b one of these seeds. 2 a similar seed of coffee and other plants. 3 US sl. the head. 4 (in pl.; with neg.) US sl. anything at all (doesn't know beans about it). --v.tr. US sl. hit on the head. Ьbean curd jelly or paste made from beans, used esp. in Asian cookery. bean sprout a sprout of a bean seed, esp. of the mung bean, used as food. full of beans colloq. lively; in high spirits. not a bean Brit. sl. no money. old bean Brit. sl. a friendly form of address, usu. to a man. [OE bean f. Gmc] beanbag n. 1 a small bag filled with dried beans and used esp. in children's games. 2 a large cushion filled usu. with polystyrene beads and used as a seat. beanery n. (pl. -ies) US sl. a cheap restaurant. beanfeast n. 1 Brit. colloq. a celebration; a merry time. 2 an employer's annual dinner given to employees. [BEAN + FEAST, beans and bacon being regarded as an indispensable dish] beanie n. a small close-fitting hat worn on the back of the head. [perh. f. BEAN 'head' + -IE] beano n. (pl. -os) Brit. sl. a celebration; a party. [abbr. of BEANFEAST] beanpole n. 1 a stick for supporting bean plants. 2 colloq. a tall thin person. beanstalk n. the stem of a bean plant. bear(1) v. (past bore; past part. borne, born) °In the passive born is used with reference to birth (e.g. was born in July), except for borne by foll. by the name of the mother (e.g. was borne by Sarah). 1 tr. carry, bring, or take (esp. visibly) (bear gifts). 2 tr. show; be marked by; have as an attribute or characteristic (bear marks of violence; bears no relation to the case; bore no name). 3 tr. a produce, yield (fruit etc.). b give birth to (has borne a son; was born last week). 4 tr. a sustain (a weight, responsibility, cost, etc.). b stand, endure (an ordeal, difficulty, etc.). 5 tr. (usu. with neg. or interrog.) a tolerate; put up with (can't bear him; how can you bear it?). b admit of; be fit for (does not bear thinking about). 6 tr. carry in thought or memory (bear a grudge). 7 intr. veer in a given direction (bear left). 8 tr. bring or provide (something needed) (bear him company). 9 refl. behave (in a certain way). Ьbear arms 1 carry weapons; serve as a soldier. 2 wear or display heraldic devices. bear away (or off) win (a prize etc.). bear down exert downward pressure. bear down on approach rapidly or purposefully. bear fruit have results. bear a hand help. bear hard on oppress. bear in mind take into account having remembered. bear on (or upon) be relevant to. bear out support or confirm (an account or the person giving it). bear repeating be worth repetition. bear up raise one's spirits; not despair. bear with treat forbearingly; tolerate patiently. bear witness testify. [OE beran f. Gmc] bear(2) n. & v. --n. 1 any large heavy mammal of the family Ursidae, having thick fur and walking on its soles. 2 a rough, unmannerly, or uncouth person. 3 Stock Exch. a person who sells shares hoping to buy them back later at a lower price. 4 = TEDDY. 5 (the Bear) colloq. Russia. --v. Stock Exch. 1 intr. speculate for a fall in price. 2 tr. produce a fall in the price of (stocks etc.). Ьbear-baiting hist. an entertainment involving setting dogs to attack a captive bear. bear-hug a tight embrace. bear market Stock Exch. a market with falling prices. bear's breech a kind of acanthus, Acanthus mollis. bear's ear auricula. bear's foot a hellebore, Helleborus fetidus. the Great Bear, the Little Bear two constellations near the North Pole. like a bear with a sore head Brit. colloq. very irritable. [OE bera f. WG] bearable adj. that may be endured or tolerated. ЬЬbearability n. bearableness n. bearably adv. beard n. & v. --n. 1 hair growing on the chin and lower cheeks of the face. 2 a similar tuft or part on an animal (esp. a goat). 3 the awn of a grass, sheath of barley, etc. --v.tr. oppose openly; defy. ЬЬbearded adj. beardless adj. [OE f. WG] beardie n. Brit. colloq. a bearded man. bearer n. 1 a person or thing that bears, carries, or brings. 2 a carrier of equipment on an expedition etc. 3 a person who presents a cheque or other order to pay money. 4 (attrib.) payable to the possessor (bearer stock). 5 hist. (in India etc.) a personal servant. beargarden n. a rowdy or noisy scene. bearing n. 1 a person's bodily attitude or outward behaviour. 2 (foll. by on, upon) relation or relevance to (his comments have no bearing on the subject). 3 endurability (beyond bearing). 4 a part of a machine that supports a rotating or other moving part. 5 direction or position relative to a fixed point, measured esp. in degrees. 6 (in pl.) a one's position relative to one's surroundings. b awareness of this; a sense of one's orientation (get one's bearings; lose one's bearings). 7 Heraldry a device or charge. 8 = ball-bearing (see BALL(1)). Ьbearing-rein a fixed rein from bit to saddle that forces a horse to arch its neck. bearish adj. 1 like a bear, esp. in temper. 2 Stock Exch. causing or associated with a fall in prices. B‚arnaise sauce n. a rich sauce thickened with egg yolks and flavoured with tarragon. [F, fem. of b‚arnais of B‚arn in SW France] bearskin n. 1 a the skin of a bear. b a wrap etc. made of this. 2 a tall furry hat worn ceremonially by some regiments. beast n. 1 an animal other than a human being, esp. a wild quadruped. 2 a a brutal person. b colloq. an objectionable or unpleasant person or thing (he's a beast for not inviting her; a beast of a problem). 3 (prec. by the) a human being's brutish or uncivilized characteristics (saw the beast in him). Ьbeast of burden an animal, e.g. an ox, used for carrying loads. beast of prey see PREY. [ME f. OF beste f. Rmc besta f. L bestia] beastie n. Sc. or joc. a small animal. beastly adj. & adv. --adj. (beastlier, beastliest) 1 colloq. objectionable, unpleasant. 2 like a beast; brutal. --adv. colloq. very, extremely. ЬЬbeastliness n. beat v., n., & adj. --v. (past beat; past part. beaten) 1 tr. a strike (a person or animal) persistently or repeatedly, esp. to harm or punish. b strike (a thing) repeatedly, e.g. to remove dust from (a carpet etc.), to sound (a drum etc.). 2 intr. (foll. by against, at, on, etc.) a pound or knock repeatedly (waves beat against the shore; beat at the door). b = beat down 3. 3 tr. a overcome; surpass; win a victory over. b complete an activity before (another person etc.). c be too hard for; perplex. 4 tr. (often foll. by up) stir (eggs etc.) vigorously into a frothy mixture. 5 tr. (often foll. by out) fashion or shape (metal etc.) by blows. 6 intr. (of the heart, a drum, etc.) pulsate rhythmically. 7 tr. (often foll. by out) a indicate (a tempo or rhythm) by gestures, tapping, etc. b sound (a signal etc.) by striking a drum or other means (beat a tattoo). 8 a intr. (of a bird's wings) move up and down. b tr. cause (wings) to move in this way. 9 tr. make (a path etc.) by trampling. 10 tr. strike (bushes etc.) to rouse game. 11 intr. Naut. sail in the direction from which the wind is blowing. --n. 1 a a main accent or rhythmic unit in music or verse (three beats to the bar; missed a beat and came in early). b the indication of rhythm by a conductor's movements (watch the beat). c (in popular music) a strong rhythm. d (attrib.) characterized by a strong rhythm (beat music). 2 a a stroke or blow (e.g. on a drum). b a measured sequence of strokes (the beat of the waves on the rocks). c a throbbing movement or sound (the beat of his heart). 3 a a route or area allocated to a police officer etc. b a person's habitual round. 4 Physics a pulsation due to the combination of two sounds or electric currents of similar but not equivalent frequencies. 5 colloq. = BEATNIK. --adj. 1 (predic.) sl. exhausted, tired out. 2 (attrib.) of the beat generation or its philosophy. Ьbeat about (often foll. by for) search (for an excuse etc.). beat about the bush discuss a matter without coming to the point. beat the bounds Brit. mark parish boundaries by striking certain points with rods. beat one's breast strike one's chest in anguish or sorrow. beat the clock complete a task within a stated time. beat down 1 a bargain with (a seller) to lower the price. b cause a seller to lower (the price). 2 strike (a resisting object) until it falls (beat the door down). 3 (of the sun, rain, etc.) radiate heat or fall continuously and vigorously. beat the drum for publicize, promote. beaten at the post defeated at the last moment. beat generation the members of a movement of young people esp. in the 1950s who rejected conventional society in their dress, habits, and beliefs. beat in crush. beat it sl. go away. beat off drive back (an attack etc.). beat a retreat withdraw; abandon an undertaking. beat time indicate or follow a musical tempo with a baton or other means. beat a person to it arrive or achieve something before another person. beat up give a beating to, esp. with punches and kicks. beat-up adj. colloq. dilapidated; in a state of disrepair. it beats me I do not understand (it). ЬЬbeatable adj. [OE beatan f. Gmc] beaten adj. 1 outwitted; defeated. 2 exhausted; dejected. 3 (of gold or any other metal) shaped by a hammer. 4 (of a path etc.) well-trodden, much-used. Ьoff the beaten track 1 in or into an isolated place. 2 unusual. [past part. of BEAT] beater n. 1 a person employed to rouse game for shooting. 2 an implement used for beating (esp. a carpet or eggs). 3 a person who beats metal. beatific adj. 1 colloq. blissful (a beatific smile). 2 a of or relating to blessedness. b making blessed. ЬЬbeatifically adv. [F b‚atifique or L beatificus f. beatus blessed] beatification n. 1 RC Ch. the act of formally declaring a dead person 'blessed', often a step towards canonization. 2 making or being blessed. [F b‚atification or eccl.L beatificatio (as BEATIFY)] beatify v.tr. (-ies, -ied) 1 RC Ch. announce the beatification of. 2 make happy. [F b‚atifier or eccl.L beatificare f. L beatus blessed] beating n. 1 a physical punishment or assault. 2 a defeat. Ьtake some (or a lot of) beating be difficult to surpass. beatitude n. 1 blessedness. 2 (in pl.) the declarations of blessedness in Matt. 5:3-11. 3 a title given to patriarchs in the Orthodox Church. [F b‚atitude or L beatitudo f. beatus blessed] beatnik n. a member of the beat generation (see BEAT). [BEAT + -nik after sputnik, perh. infl. by US use of Yiddish -nik agent-suffix] beau n. (pl. beaux or beaus) 1 esp. US an admirer; a boyfriend. 2 a fop; a dandy. [F, = handsome, f. L bellus] Beaufort scale n. a scale of wind speed ranging from 0 (calm) to 12 (hurricane). [Sir F. Beaufort, Engl. admiral d. 1857] beau geste n. (pl. beaux gestes pronunc. same) a generous or gracious act. [F, = splendid gesture] beau ideal n. (pl. beaux ideals) the highest type of excellence or beauty. [F beau id‚al = ideal beauty: see BEAU, IDEAL] Beaujolais n. a red or white burgundy wine from the Beaujolais district of France. beau monde n. fashionable society. [F] beaut n. & adj. Austral. & NZ sl. --n. an excellent or beautiful person or thing. --adj. excellent; beautiful. [abbr. of BEAUTY] beauteous adj. poet. beautiful. [ME f. BEAUTY + -OUS, after bounteous, plenteous] beautician n. 1 a person who gives beauty treatment. 2 a person who runs or owns a beauty salon. beautiful adj. 1 delighting the aesthetic senses (a beautiful voice). 2 pleasant, enjoyable (had a beautiful time). 3 excellent (a beautiful specimen). ЬЬbeautifully adv. beautify v.tr. (-ies, -ied) make beautiful; adorn. ЬЬbeautification n. beautifier n. beauty n. (pl. -ies) 1 a a combination of qualities such as shape, colour, etc., that pleases the aesthetic senses, esp. the sight. b a combination of qualities that pleases the intellect or moral sense (the beauty of the argument). 2 colloq. a an excellent specimen (what a beauty!). b an attractive feature; an advantage (that's the beauty of it!). 3 a beautiful woman. Ьbeauty is only skin-deep a pleasing appearance is not a guide to character. beauty parlour (or salon) an establishment in which massage, manicure, hairdressing, make-up, etc., are offered to women. beauty queen the woman judged most beautiful in a competition. beauty sleep sleep before midnight, supposed to be health-giving. beauty spot 1 a place known for its beauty. 2 a small natural or artificial mark such as a mole on the face, considered to enhance another feature. beauty treatment cosmetic treatment received in a beauty parlour. [ME f. AF beut‚, OF bealt‚, beaut‚, ult. f. L (as BEAU)] beaux pl. of BEAU. beaux arts n.pl. 1 fine arts. 2 (attrib.) relating to the rules and conventions of the ђcole des Beaux-Arts in Paris (later called Acad‚mie des Beaux Arts). [F beaux-arts] beaver(1) n. & v. --n. (pl. same or beavers) 1 a any large amphibious broad-tailed rodent of the genus Castor, native to N. America, Europe, and Asia, and able to cut down trees and build dams. b its soft light-brown fur. c a hat of this. 2 (in full beaver cloth) a heavy woollen cloth like beaver fur. 3 (Beaver) a boy aged six or seven who is an affiliate member of the Scout Association. --v.intr. colloq. (usu. foll. by away) work hard. Ьbeaver lamb lamb's wool made to look like beaver fur. eager beaver colloq. an over-zealous person. [OE be(o)for f. Gmc] beaver(2) n. hist. the lower face-guard of a helmet. [OF baviere bib f. baver slaver f. beve saliva f. Rmc] beaver(3) n. sl. a bearded man. [20th c.: orig. uncert.] Beaverboard n. propr. a kind of fibreboard. [BEAVER(1) + BOARD] bebop n. a type of jazz originating in the 1940s and characterized by complex harmony and rhythms. ЬЬbebopper n. [imit. of the typical rhythm] becalm v.tr. (usu. in passive) deprive (a ship) of wind. became past of BECOME. because conj. for the reason that; since. Ьbecause of on account of; by reason of. [ME f. BY prep. + CAUSE, after OF par cause de by reason of] b‚chamel n. a kind of thick white sauce. [invented by the Marquis de B‚chamel, Fr. courtier d. 1703] b€che-de-mer n. (pl. same or b€ches-de-mer pronunc. same) 1 a kind of sea cucumber eaten in China usu. in long dried strips. 2 = BEACH-LA-MAR. [F, alt. of biche de mer f. Port. bicho do mar sea-worm] beck(1) n. N.Engl. a brook; a mountain stream. [ME f. ON bekkr f. Gmc] beck(2) n. poet. a gesture requesting attention, e.g. a nod, wave, etc. Ьat a person's beck and call having constantly to obey a person's orders. [beck (v.) f. BECKON] becket n. Naut. a contrivance such as a hook, bracket, or rope-loop, for securing loose ropes, tackle, or spars. [18th c.: orig. unkn.] beckon v. 1 tr. attract the attention of; summon by gesture. 2 intr. (usu. foll. by to) make a signal to attract a person's attention; summon a person by doing this. [OE biecnan, becnan ult. f. WG baukna BEACON] becloud v.tr. 1 obscure (becloud the argument). 2 cover with clouds. become v. (past became; past part. become) 1 intr. (foll. by compl.) begin to be (became president; will become famous). 2 tr. a look well on; suit (blue becomes him). b befit (it ill becomes you to complain). 3 intr. (as becoming adj.) a flattering the appearance. b suitable; decorous. Ьbecome of happen to (what will become of me?). ЬЬbecomingly adj. becomingness n. [OE becuman f. Gmc: cf. BE-, COME] becquerel n. Physics the SI unit of radioactivity, corresponding to one disintegration per second. [A. H. Becquerel, Fr. physicist d. 1908] bed n. & v. --n. 1 a a piece of furniture used for sleeping on, usu. a framework with a mattress and coverings. b such a mattress, with or without coverings. 2 any place used by a person or animal for sleep or rest; a litter. 3 a a garden plot, esp. one used for planting flowers. b a place where other things may be grown (osier bed). 4 the use of a bed: a colloq. for sexual intercourse (only thinks of bed). b for rest (needs his bed). 5 something flat, forming a support or base as in: a the bottom of the sea or a river. b the foundations of a road or railway. c the slates etc. on a billiard-table. 6 a stratum, such as a layer of oysters etc. --v. (bedded, bedding) 1 tr. & intr. (usu. foll. by down) put or go to bed. 2 tr. colloq. have sexual intercourse with. 3 tr. (usu. foll. by out) plant in a garden bed. 4 tr. cover up or fix firmly in something. 5 a tr. arrange as a layer. b intr. be or form a layer. Ьbed and board 1 lodging and food. 2 marital relations. bed and breakfast 1 one night's lodging and breakfast in a hotel etc. 2 an establishment that provides this. bed of roses a life of ease. brought to bed (often foll. by of) delivered of a child. get out of bed on the wrong side be bad-tempered all day long. go to bed 1 retire for the night. 2 have sexual intercourse. 3 (of a newspaper) go to press. keep one's bed stay in bed because of illness. make the bed tidy and arrange the bed for use. make one's bed and lie in it accept the consequences of one's acts. put to bed 1 cause to go to bed. 2 make (a newspaper) ready for press. take to one's bed stay in bed because of illness. [OE bed(d), beddian f. Gmc] B.Ed. abbr. Bachelor of Education. bedabble v.tr. stain or splash with dirty liquid, blood, etc. bedad int. Ir. by God! [corrupt.: cf. GAD(2)] bedaub v.tr. smear or daub with paint etc.; decorate gaudily. bedazzle v.tr. 1 dazzle. 2 confuse (a person). ЬЬbedazzlement n. bedbug n. either of two flat, wingless, evil-smelling insects of the genus Cimex infesting beds and unclean houses and sucking blood . bedchamber n. 1 archaic a bedroom. 2 (Bedchamber) part of the title of some of the sovereign's attendants (Lady of the Bedchamber). bedclothes n.pl. coverings for a bed, such as sheets, blankets, etc. beddable adj. colloq. sexually attractive. [BED + -ABLE] bedder n. 1 a plant suitable for a garden bed. 2 Brit. colloq. a college bedmaker. bedding n. 1 a mattress and bedclothes. 2 a litter for cattle, horses, etc. 3 a bottom layer. 4 Geol. the stratification of rocks, esp. when clearly visible. Ьbedding plant a plant suitable for a garden bed. bedeck v.tr. adorn. bedeguar n. a mosslike growth on rose-bushes produced by a gall wasp. [F b‚degar f. Pers. bad-awar wind-brought] bedel n. (also bedell) Brit. a university official with chiefly processional duties. [= BEADLE] bedevil v.tr. (bedevilled, bedevilling; US bedeviled, bedeviling) 1 plague; afflict. 2 confound; confuse. 3 possess as if with a devil; bewitch. 4 treat with diabolical violence or abuse. ЬЬbedevilment n. bedew v.tr. 1 cover or sprinkle with dew or drops of water. 2 poet. sprinkle with tears. bedfellow n. 1 a person who shares a bed. 2 an associate. Bedford cord n. a tough woven fabric having prominent ridges, similar to corduroy. [Bedford in S. England] bedight adj. archaic arrayed; adorned. [ME past part. of bedight (v.) (as BE-, DIGHT)] bedim v.tr. (bedimmed, bedimming) poet. make (the eyes, mind, etc.) dim. bedizen v.tr. poet. deck out gaudily. [BE- + obs. dizen deck out] bedjacket n. a jacket worn when sitting up in bed. bedlam n. 1 a scene of uproar and confusion (the traffic was bedlam). 2 archaic a madhouse; an asylum. [hospital of St Mary of Bethlehem in London] bedlinen n. sheets and pillowcases. Bedlington terrier n. 1 a terrier of a breed with narrow head, long legs, and curly grey hair. 2 this breed. [Bedlington in Northumberland] bedmaker n. Brit. a person employed to clean and tidy students' rooms in a college. Bedouin n. & adj. (also Beduin) (pl. same) --n. 1 a nomadic Arab of the desert. 2 a wanderer; a nomad. --adj. 1 of or relating to the Bedouin. 2 wandering; nomadic. [ME f. OF beduin ult. f. Arab. badwiyyin (oblique case) dwellers in the desert f. badw desert] bedpan n. a receptacle used by a bedridden patient for urine and faeces. bedplate n. a metal plate forming the base of a machine. bedpost n. any of the four upright supports of a bedstead. Ьbetween you and me and the bedpost colloq. in strict confidence. bedraggle v.tr. 1 wet (a dress etc.) by trailing it, or so that it hangs limp. 2 (as bedraggled adj.) untidy; dishevelled. [BE- + DRAGGLE] bedrest n. confinement of an invalid to bed. bedridden adj. 1 confined to bed by infirmity. 2 decrepit. [OE bedreda f. ridan ride] bedrock n. 1 solid rock underlying alluvial deposits etc. 2 the underlying principles or facts of a theory, character, etc. bedroll n. esp. US portable bedding rolled into a bundle, esp. a sleeping-bag. bedroom n. 1 a room for sleeping in. 2 (attrib.) of or referring to sexual relations (bedroom comedy). Beds. abbr. Bedfordshire. bedside n. 1 the space beside esp. a patient's bed. 2 (attrib.) of or relating to the side of a bed (bedside lamp). Ьbedside manner (of a doctor) an approach or attitude to a patient. bedsitter n. (also bedsit) colloq. = BEDSITTING ROOM. [contr.] bedsitting room n. Brit. a one-roomed unit of accommodation usu. consisting of combined bedroom and sitting-room with cooking facilities. bedsock n. each of a pair of thick socks worn in bed. bedsore n. a sore developed by an invalid because of pressure caused by lying in bed. bedspread n. an often decorative cloth used to cover a bed when not in use. bedstead n. the framework of a bed. bedstraw n. 1 any herbaceous plant of the genus Galium, once used as straw for bedding. 2 (in full Our Lady's bedstraw) a bedstraw, G. verum, with yellow flowers. bedtable n. a portable table or tray with legs used by a person sitting up in bed. bedtime n. 1 the usual time for going to bed. 2 (attrib.) of or relating to bedtime (bedtime drink). Beduin var. of BEDOUIN. bedwetting n. involuntary urination during the night. bee n. 1 any four-winged insect of the superfamily Apoidea which collects nectar and pollen, produces wax and honey, and lives in large communities. 2 any insect of a similar type. 3 (usu. busy bee) a busy person. 4 esp. US a meeting for communal work or amusement. Ьbee-bread honey or pollen used as food by bees. bee dance a dance performed by worker bees to inform the colony of the location of food. bee-eater any bright-plumaged insect-eating bird of the family Meropidae with a long slender curved bill. a bee in one's bonnet an obsession. bee-keeper a keeper of bees. bee-keeping the occupation of keeping bees. bee-master a bee-keeper. bee orchid a kind of European orchid, Ophrys apifera, with bee-shaped flowers. the bee's knees sl. something outstandingly good (thinks he's the bee's knees). [OE beo f. Gmc] Beeb n. (prec. by the) Brit. colloq. the BBC. [abbr.] beech n. 1 any large forest tree of the genus Fagus, having smooth grey bark and glossy leaves. 2 (also beechwood) its wood. 3 Austral. any of various similar trees in Australia. Ьbeech-fern a fern, Thelypteris phagopteris, found in damp woods. beech-marten a white-breasted marten, Martes foina, of S. Europe and Asia. ЬЬbeechy adj. [OE bece f. Gmc] beechmast n. (pl. same) the small rough-skinned fruit of the beech tree. [BEECH + MAST(2)] beef n. & v. --n. 1 the flesh of the ox, bull, or esp. the cow, for eating. 2 colloq. well-developed male muscle. 3 (pl. beeves or US beefs) a cow, bull, or ox fattened for beef; its carcass. 4 (pl. beefs) sl. a complaint; a protest. --v.intr. sl. complain. Ьbeef tea stewed extract of beef, given to invalids. beef up sl. strengthen, reinforce, augment. beef-wood 1 any of various Australian and W. Indian hardwood trees. 2 the close-grained red timber of these. [ME f. AF, OF boef f. L bos bovis ox] beefburger n. = HAMBURGER. beefcake n. esp. US sl. well-developed male muscles, esp. when displayed for admiration. beefeater n. a warder in the Tower of London; a Yeoman of the Guard. [f. obs. sense 'well-fed menial'] beefsteak n. a thick slice of lean beef, esp. from the rump, usu. for grilling or frying. Ьbeefsteak fungus a red edible fungus, Fistulina hepatica, resembling beef. beefy adj. (beefier, beefiest) 1 like beef. 2 solid; muscular. ЬЬbeefily adv. beefiness n. beehive n. 1 an artificial habitation for bees. 2 a busy place. 3 anything resembling a wicker beehive in being domed. beeline n. a straight line between two places. Ьmake a beeline for hurry directly to. Beelzebub n. the Devil. [OE f. L f. Gk beelzeboub & Heb. ba'al zeb–b lord of the flies, name of a Philistine god] been past part. of BE. beep n. & v. --n. 1 the sound of a motor-car horn. 2 any similar high-pitched noise. --v.intr. emit a beep. ЬЬbeeper n. [imit.] beer n. 1 a an alcoholic drink made from yeast-fermented malt etc., flavoured with hops. b a glass of this, esp. a pint or half-pint. 2 any of several other fermented drinks, e.g. ginger beer. Ьbeer and skittles amusement (life is not all beer and skittles). beer-cellar 1 an underground room for storing beer. 2 a basement or cellar for selling or drinking beer. beer-engine Brit. a machine that draws up beer from a barrel in a cellar. beer garden a garden where beer is sold and drunk. beer hall a large room where beer is sold and drunk. beer-mat a small table-mat for a beer-glass. beer pump US = beer-engine. [OE beor f. LL biber drink f. L bibere] beerhouse n. Brit. a public house licensed to sell beer but not spirits. beery adj. (beerier, beeriest) 1 showing the influence of drink in one's appearance or behaviour. 2 smelling or tasting of beer. ЬЬbeerily adv. beeriness n. beestings n.pl. (also treated as sing.) the first milk (esp. of a cow) after giving birth. [OE besting (implied by beost), of unkn. orig.] beeswax n. & v. --n. 1 the wax secreted by bees to make honeycombs. 2 this wax refined and used to polish wood. --v.tr. polish (furniture etc.) with beeswax. beeswing n. a filmy second crust on old port. beet n. any plant of the genus Beta with an edible root (see BEETROOT, sugar beet). [OE bete f. L beta, perh. of Celt. orig.] beetle(1) n. & v. --n. 1 any insect of the order Coleoptera, with modified front wings forming hard protective cases closing over the back wings. 2 colloq. any similar, usu. black, insect. 3 sl. a type of compact rounded Volkswagen saloon car. 4 a dice game in which a beetle is drawn or assembled. --v.intr. colloq. (foll. by about, away, etc.) Brit. hurry, scurry. Ьbeetle-crusher Brit. colloq. a large boot or foot. [OE bitula biter f. bitan BITE] beetle(2) n. & v. --n. 1 a tool with a heavy head and a handle, used for ramming, crushing, driving wedges, etc. 2 a machine used for heightening the lustre of cloth by pressure from rollers. --v.tr. 1 ram, crush, drive, etc., with a beetle. 2 finish (cloth) with a beetle. [OE betel f. Gmc] beetle(3) adj. & v. --adj. (esp. of the eyebrows) projecting, shaggy, scowling. --v.intr. (usu. as beetling adj.) (of brows, cliffs, etc.) projecting; overhanging threateningly. Ьbeetle-browed with shaggy, projecting, or scowling eyebrows. [ME: orig. unkn.] beetroot n. esp. Brit. 1 a beet, Beta vulgaris, with an edible spherical dark red root. 2 this root used as a vegetable. beeves pl. of BEEF. BEF abbr. hist. British Expeditionary Force. befall v. (past befell; past part. befallen) poet. 1 intr. happen (so it befell). 2 tr. happen to (a person etc.) (what has befallen her?). [OE befeallan (as BE-, feallan FALL)] befit v.tr. (befitted, befitting) 1 be fitted or appropriate for; suit. 2 be incumbent on. ЬЬbefitting adj. befittingly adv. befog v.tr. (befogged, befogging) 1 confuse; obscure. 2 envelop in fog. befool v.tr. make a fool of; delude. before conj., prep., & adv. --conj. 1 earlier than the time when (crawled before he walked). 2 rather than that (would starve before he stole). --prep. 1 a in front of (before her in the queue). b ahead of (crossed the line before him). c under the impulse of (recoil before the attack). d awaiting (the future before them). 2 earlier than; preceding (Lent comes before Easter). 3 rather than (death before dishonour). 4 a in the presence of (appear before the judge). b for the attention of (a plan put before the committee). --adv. 1 a earlier than the time in question; already (heard it before). b in the past (happened long before). 2 ahead (go before). 3 on the front (hit before and behind). ЬBefore Christ (of a date) reckoned backwards from the birth of Christ. before God a solemn oath meaning 'as God sees me'. before time see TIME. [OE beforan f. Gmc] beforehand adv. in anticipation; in advance; in readiness (had prepared the meal beforehand). Ьbe beforehand with anticipate; forestall. [ME f. BEFORE + HAND: cf. AF avant main] befoul v.tr. poet. 1 make foul or dirty. 2 degrade; defile (befouled her name). befriend v.tr. act as a friend to; help. befuddle v.tr. 1 make drunk. 2 confuse. ЬЬbefuddlement n. beg v. (begged, begging) 1 a intr. (usu. foll. by for) ask for (esp. food, money, etc.) (begged for alms). b tr. ask for (food, money, etc.) as a gift. c intr. live by begging. 2 tr. & intr. (usu. foll. by for, or to + infin.) ask earnestly or humbly (begged for forgiveness; begged to be allowed out; please, I beg of you; beg your indulgence for a time). 3 tr. ask formally for (beg leave). 4 intr. (of a dog etc.) sit up with the front paws raised expectantly. 5 tr. take or ask leave (to do something) (I beg to differ; beg to enclose). Ьbeg one's bread live by begging. begging bowl 1 a bowl etc. held out for food or alms. 2 an earnest appeal for help. beg off 1 decline to take part in or attend. 2 get (a person) excused a penalty etc. beg pardon see PARDON. beg the question 1 assume the truth of an argument or proposition to be proved, without arguing it. 2 disp. pose the question. 3 colloq. evade a difficulty. go begging (or a-begging) (of a chance or a thing) not be taken; be unwanted. [ME prob. f. OE bedecian f. Gmc: rel. to BID] begad int. archaic colloq. by God! [corrupt.: cf. GAD(2)] began past of BEGIN. begat archaic past of BEGET. beget v.tr. (begetting; past begot; archaic begat; past part. begotten) literary 1 (usu. of a father, sometimes of a father and mother) procreate. 2 give rise to; cause (beget strife). ЬЬbegetter n. [OE begietan, formed as BE- + GET = procreate] beggar n. & v. --n. 1 a person who begs, esp. one who lives by begging. 2 a poor person. 3 colloq. a person; a fellow (poor beggar). --v.tr. 1 reduce to poverty. 2 outshine. 3 exhaust the resources of (beggar description). Ьbeggar-my-neighbour 1 a card-game in which a player seeks to capture an opponent's cards. 2 (attrib.) (esp. of national policy) self-aggrandizing at the expense of competitors. beggars cannot (or must not) be choosers those without other resources must take what is offered. [ME f. BEG + -AR(3)] beggarly adj. 1 poverty-stricken; needy. 2 intellectually poor. 3 mean; sordid. 4 ungenerous. ЬЬbeggarliness n. beggary n. extreme poverty. begin v. (beginning; past began; past part. begun) 1 tr. perform the first part of; start (begin work; begin crying; begin to understand). 2 intr. come into being; arise: a in time (war began in 1939). b in space (Wales begins beyond the river). 3 tr. (usu. foll. by to + infin.) start at a certain time (then began to feel ill). 4 intr. be begun (the meeting will begin at 7). 5 intr. a start speaking ('No,' he began). b take the first step; be the first to do something (who wants to begin?). 6 intr. colloq. (usu. with neg.) show any attempt or likelihood (can't begin to compete). Ьbegin at start from. begin on (or upon) set to work at. begin school attend school for the first time. begin with take (a subject, task, etc.) first or as a starting-point. to begin with in the first place; as the first thing. [OE beginnan f. Gmc] beginner n. a person just beginning to learn a skill etc. Ьbeginner's luck good luck supposed to attend a beginner at games etc. beginning n. 1 the time or place at which anything begins. 2 a source or origin. 3 the first part. Ьthe beginning of the end the first clear sign of a final result. begone int. poet. go away at once! begonia n. any plant of the genus Begonia with brightly coloured sepals and no petals, and often having brilliant glossy foliage. [M. B‚gon, Fr. patron of science d. 1710] begorra int. Ir. by God! [corrupt.] begot past of BEGET. begotten past part. of BEGET. begrime v.tr. make grimy. begrudge v.tr. 1 resent; be dissatisfied at. 2 envy (a person) the possession of. ЬЬbegrudgingly adv. beguile v.tr. 1 charm; amuse. 2 divert attention pleasantly from (toil etc.). 3 (usu. foll. by of, out of, or into + verbal noun) delude; cheat (beguiled him into paying). ЬЬbeguilement n. beguiler n. beguiling adj. beguilingly adv. [BE- + obs. guile to deceive] beguine n. 1 a popular dance of W. Indian origin. 2 its rhythm. [Amer. F f. F b‚guin infatuation] begum n. in the Indian subcontinent: 1 a Muslim lady of high rank. 2 (Begum) the title of a married Muslim woman, equivalent to Mrs. [Urdu begam f. E.Turk. bigam princess, fem. of big prince: cf. BEY] begun past part. of BEGIN. behalf n. Ьon (US in) behalf of (or on a person's behalf) 1 in the interests of (a person, principle, etc.). 2 as representative of (acting on behalf of my client). [mixture of earlier phrases on his halve and bihalve him, both = on his side: see BY, HALF] behave v. 1 intr. a act or react (in a specified way) (behaved well). b (esp. to or of a child) conduct oneself properly. c (of a machine etc.) work well (or in a specified way) (the computer is not behaving today). 2 refl. (esp. of or to a child) show good manners (behaved herself). Ьbehave towards treat (in a specified way). ill-behaved having bad manners or conduct. well-behaved having good manners or conduct. [BE- + HAVE] behaviour n. (US behavior) 1 a the way one conducts oneself; manners. b the treatment of others; moral conduct. 2 the way in which a ship, machine, chemical substance, etc., acts or works. 3 Psychol. the response (of a person, animal, etc.) to a stimulus. Ьbehaviour therapy the treatment of neurotic symptoms by training the patient's reactions (see BEHAVIOURISM). be on one's good (or best) behaviour behave well when being observed. [BEHAVE after demeanour and obs. haviour f. have] behavioural adj. (US behavioral) of or relating to behaviour. Ьbehavioural science the scientific study of human behaviour (see BEHAVIOURISM). ЬЬbehaviouralist n. behaviourism n. (US behaviorism) Psychol. 1 the theory that human behaviour is determined by conditioning rather than by thoughts or feelings, and that psychological disorders are best treated by altering behaviour patterns. 2 such study and treatment in practice. ЬЬbehaviourist n. behaviouristic adj. behead v.tr. 1 cut off the head of (a person), esp. as a form of execution. 2 kill by beheading. [OE beheafdian (as BE-, heafod HEAD)] beheld past and past part. of BEHOLD. behemoth n. an enormous creature or thing. [ME f. Heb. behem“t intensive pl. of behemah beast, perh. f. Egyptian p-ehe-mau water-ox] behest n. literary a command; an entreaty (went at his behest). [OE beh‘s f. Gmc] behind prep., adv., & n. --prep. 1 a in, towards, or to the rear of. b on the further side of (behind the bush). c hidden by (something behind that remark). 2 a in the past in relation to (trouble is behind me now). b late in relation to (behind schedule). 3 inferior to; weaker than (rather behind the others in his maths). 4 a in support of (she's right behind us). b responsible for; giving rise to (the man behind the project; the reasons behind his resignation). 5 in the tracks of; following. --adv. 1 a in or to or towards the rear; further back (the street behind; glance behind). b on the further side (a high wall with a field behind). 2 remaining after departure (leave behind; stay behind). 3 (usu. foll. by with) a in arrears (behind with the rent). b late in accomplishing a task etc. (working too slowly and getting behind). 4 in a weak position; backward (behind in Latin). 5 following (his dog running behind). --n. 1 colloq. the buttocks. 2 (in Australian Rules) a kick etc. scoring one point. Ьbehind a person's back without a person's knowledge. behind the scenes see SCENE. behind time late. behind the times antiquated. come from behind win after lagging. fall (or lag) behind not keep up. put behind one 1 refuse to consider. 2 get over (an unhappy experience etc.). [OE behindan, bihindan f. bi BY + hindan from behind, hinder below] behindhand adv. & predic.adj. 1 (usu. foll. by with, in) late (in discharging a duty, paying a debt, etc.). 2 out of date; behind time. [BEHIND + HAND: cf. BEFOREHAND] behold v.tr. (past & past part. beheld) literary (esp. in imper.) see, observe. ЬЬbeholder n. [OE bihaldan (as BE-, haldan hold)] beholden predic.adj. (usu. foll. by to) under obligation. [past part. (obs. except in this use) of BEHOLD, = bound] behoof n. archaic (prec. by to, for, on; foll. by of) benefit; advantage. [OE behof] behove v.tr. (US behoove) formal (prec. by it as subject; foll. by to + infin.) 1 be incumbent on. 2 (usu. with neg.) befit (ill behoves him to protest). [OE behofian f. behof: see BEHOOF] beige n. & adj. --n. a pale sandy fawn colour. --adj. of this colour. [F: orig. unkn.] beigel var. of BAGEL. being n. 1 existence. 2 the nature or essence (of a person etc.) (his whole being revolted). 3 a human being. 4 anything that exists or is imagined. Ьin being existing. bejabers int. (also bejabbers) Ir. by Jesus! [corrupt.] bejewelled adj. (US bejeweled) adorned with jewels. bel n. a unit used in the comparison of power levels in electrical communication or intensities of sound, corresponding to an intensity ratio of 10 to 1 (cf. DECIBEL). [A. G. Bell, Amer. inventor of telephone d. 1922] belabour v.tr. (US belabor) 1 a thrash; beat. b attack verbally. 2 argue or elaborate (a subject) in excessive detail. [BE- + LABOUR = exert one's strength] belated adj. 1 coming late or too late. 2 overtaken by darkness. ЬЬbelatedly adv. belatedness n. [past part. of obs. belate delay (as BE-, LATE)] belay v. & n. --v. 1 tr. fix (a running rope) round a cleat, pin, rock, etc., to secure it. 2 tr. & intr. (usu. in imper.) Naut. sl. stop; enough! (esp. belay there!). --n. 1 an act of belaying. 2 a spike of rock etc. used for belaying. Ьbelaying-pin a fixed wooden or iron pin used for fastening a rope round. [Du. beleggen] bel canto n. 1 a lyrical style of operatic singing using a full rich broad tone and smooth phrasing. 2 (attrib.) (of a type of aria or voice) characterized by this type of singing. [It., = fine song] belch v. & n. --v. 1 intr. emit wind noisily from the stomach through the mouth. 2 tr. a (of a chimney, volcano, gun, etc.) send (smoke etc.) out or up. b utter forcibly. --n. an act of belching. [OE belcettan] beldam n. (also beldame) archaic 1 an old woman; a hag. 2 a virago. [ME & OF bel beautiful + DAM(2), DAME] beleaguer v.tr. 1 besiege. 2 vex; harass. [Du. belegeren camp round (as BE-, leger a camp)] belemnite n. any extinct cephalopod of the order Belemnoidea, having a bullet-shaped internal shell often found in fossilized form. [mod.L belemnites f. Gk belemnon dart + -ITE(1)] bel esprit n. (pl. beaux esprits) a witty person. [F, lit. fine mind] belfry n. (pl. -ies) 1 a bell tower or steeple housing bells, esp. forming part of a church. 2 a space for hanging bells in a church tower. Ьbats in the belfry see BAT(2). [ME f. OF berfrei f. Frank.: altered by assoc. with bell] Belgian n. & adj. --n. 1 a native or national of Belgium in W. Europe. 2 a person of Belgian descent. --adj. of or relating to Belgium. ЬBelgian hare a dark-red long-eared breed of domestic rabbit. Belgic adj. 1 of the ancient Belgae of N. Gaul. 2 of the Low Countries. [L Belgicus f. Belgae] Belial n. the Devil. [Heb. beliyya'al worthless] belie v.tr. (belying) 1 give a false notion of; fail to corroborate (its appearance belies its age). 2 a fail to fulfil (a promise etc.). b fail to justify (a hope etc.). [OE beleogan (as BE-, leogan LIE(2))] belief n. 1 a a person's religion; religious conviction (has no belief). b a firm opinion (my belief is that he did it). c an acceptance (of a thing, fact, statement, etc.) (belief in the afterlife). 2 (usu. foll. by in) trust or confidence. Ьbeyond belief incredible. to the best of my belief in my genuine opinion. [ME f. OE geleafa (as BELIEVE)] believe v. 1 tr. accept as true or as conveying the truth (I believe it; don't believe him; believes what he is told). 2 tr. think, suppose (I believe it's raining; Mr Smith, I believe?). 3 intr. (foll. by in) a have faith in the existence of (believes in God). b have confidence in (a remedy, a person, etc.) (believes in alternative medicine). c have trust in the advisability of (believes in telling the truth). 4 intr. have (esp. religious) faith. Ьbelieve one's ears (or eyes) accept that what one apparently hears or sees etc. is true. believe it or not colloq. it is true though surprising. make believe (often foll. by that + clause, or to + infin.) pretend (let's make believe that we're young again). would you believe it? colloq. = believe it or not. ЬЬbelievable adj. believability n. [OE belyfan, belefan, with change of prefix f. gelefan f. Gmc: rel. to LIEF] believer n. 1 an adherent of a specified religion. 2 a person who believes, esp. in the efficacy of something (a great believer in exercise). Belisha beacon n. Brit. a flashing orange ball surmounted on a striped post, marking some pedestrian crossings. [L. Hore- Belisha d. 1957, Minister of Transport 1934] belittle v.tr. 1 depreciate. 2 make small; dwarf. ЬЬbelittlement n. belittler n. belittlingly adv. bell(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a hollow usu. metal object in the shape of a deep upturned cup usu. widening at the lip, made to sound a clear musical note when struck (either externally or by means of a clapper inside). 2 a a sound or stroke of a bell, esp. as a signal. b (prec. by a numeral) Naut. the time as indicated every half-hour of a watch by the striking of the ship's bell one to eight times. 3 anything that sounds like or functions as a bell, esp. an electronic device that rings etc. as a signal. 4 a any bell-shaped object or part, e.g. of a musical instrument. b the corolla of a flower when bell-shaped. 5 (in pl.) Mus. a set of cylindrical metal tubes of different lengths, suspended in a frame and played by being struck with a hammer. --v.tr. 1 provide with a bell or bells; attach a bell to. 2 (foll. by out) form into the shape of the lip of a bell. Ьbell-bottom 1 a marked flare below the knee (of a trouser-leg). 2 (in pl.) trousers with bell-bottoms. bell-bottomed having bell-bottoms. bell-buoy a buoy equipped with a warning bell rung by the motion of the sea. bell-founder a person who casts large bells in a foundry. bell-glass a bell-shaped glass cover for plants. bell-jar a bell-shaped glass cover or container for use in a laboratory. bell-metal an alloy of copper and tin for making bells (the tin content being greater than in bronze). bell-pull a cord or handle which rings a bell when pulled. bell-push a button that operates an electric bell when pushed. bell-ringer a person who rings church bells or handbells. bell-ringing this as an activity. bell-tent a cone-shaped tent supported by a central pole. bell-wether 1 the leading sheep of a flock, with a bell on its neck. 2 a ringleader. clear (or sound) as a bell perfectly clear or sound. ring a bell colloq. revive a distant recollection; sound familiar. [OE belle: perh. rel. to BELL(2)] bell(2) n. & v. --n. the cry of a stag or buck at rutting-time. --v.intr. make this cry. [OE bellan bark, bellow] belladonna n. 1 Bot. a poisonous plant, Atropa belladonna, with purple flowers and purple-black berries. Also called deadly nightshade. 2 Med. a drug prepared from this. Ьbelladonna lily a S. African amaryllis with white or pink flowers, Amaryllis belladonna. [mod.L f. It., = fair lady, perh. from its use as a cosmetic] bellbird n. any of various birds with a bell-like song, esp. any Central or S. American bird of the genus Procnias, a New Zealand honey-eater, Anthornis melanura, and an Australian bird, Oreoica gutturalis. bellboy n. esp. US a page in a hotel or club. belle n. 1 a beautiful woman. 2 a woman recognized as the most beautiful (the belle of the ball). [F f. L bella fem. of bellus beautiful] belle ‚poque n. the period of settled and comfortable life preceding the war of 1914-18. [F, = fine period] belle laide n. (pl. belles laides pronunc. same) a fascinatingly ugly woman. [F f. belle beautiful + laide ugly] belles-lettres n.pl. (also treated as sing.) writings or studies of a literary nature, esp. essays and criticisms. ЬЬbelletrism n. belletrist n. belletristic adj. [F, = fine letters] bellflower n. = CAMPANULA. bellicose adj. eager to fight; warlike. ЬЬbellicosity n. [ME f. L bellicosus f. bellum war] belligerence n. (also belligerency) 1 aggressive or warlike behaviour. 2 the status of a belligerent. belligerent adj. & n. --adj. 1 engaged in war or conflict. 2 given to constant fighting; pugnacious. --n. a nation or person engaged in war or conflict. ЬЬbelligerently adv. [L belligerare wage war f. bellum war + gerere wage] bellman n. (pl. -men) hist. a town crier. bellow v. & n. --v. 1 intr. a emit a deep loud roar. b cry or shout with pain. 2 tr. utter loudly and usu. angrily. --n. a bellowing sound. [ME: perh. rel. to BELL(2)] bellows n.pl. (also treated as sing.) 1 a device with an air bag that emits a stream of air when squeezed, esp.: a (in full pair of bellows) a kind with two handles used for blowing air on to a fire. b a kind used in a harmonium or small organ. 2 an expandable component, e.g. joining the lens to the body of a camera. [ME prob. f. OE belga pl. of belig belly] belly n. & v. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 the part of the human body below the chest, containing the stomach and bowels. 2 the stomach, esp. representing the body's need for food. 3 the front of the body from the waist to the groin. 4 the underside of a four-legged animal. 5 a a cavity or bulging part of anything. b the surface of an instrument of the violin family, across which the strings are placed. --v.tr. & intr. (-ies, -ied) (often foll. by out) swell or cause to swell; bulge. Ьbelly button colloq. the navel. belly-dance an oriental dance performed by a woman, involving voluptuous movements of the belly. belly-dancer a woman who performs belly-dances, esp. professionally. belly-dancing the performance of belly-dances. belly-landing a crash-landing of an aircraft on the underside of the fuselage, without lowering the undercarriage. belly-laugh a loud unrestrained laugh. [OE belig (orig. = bag) f. Gmc] bellyache n. & v. --n. colloq. a stomach pain. --v.intr. sl. complain noisily or persistently. ЬЬbellyacher n. bellyband n. a band placed round a horse's belly, holding the shafts of a cart etc. bellyflop n. & v. colloq. --n. a dive into water in which the body lands with the belly flat on the water. --v.intr. (-flopped, -flopping) perform this dive. bellyful n. (pl. -fuls) 1 enough to eat. 2 colloq. enough or more than enough of anything (esp. unwelcome). belong v.intr. 1 (foll. by to) a be the property of. b be rightly assigned to as a duty, right, part, member, characteristic, etc. c be a member of (a club, family, group, etc.). 2 have the right personal or social qualities to be a member of a particular group (he's nice but just doesn't belong); (foll. by in, under). a be rightly placed or classified. b fit a particular environment. ЬЬbelongingness n. [ME f. intensive BE- + longen belong f. OE langian (gelang at hand)] belongings n.pl. one's movable possessions or luggage. Belorussian n. & adj. (also Byelorussian) --n. 1 a native of Belorussia in the western USSR. 2 the language of Belorussia. --adj. of or relating to Belorussia or its people or language. [Russ. Belorussiya f. belyi white + Russiya Russia] beloved predic. also adj. & n. --adj. much loved. --n. a much loved person. [obs. belove (v.)] below prep. & adv. --prep. 1 lower in position (vertically, down a slope or stream, etc.) than. 2 beneath the surface of; at or to a greater depth than (head below water; below 500 feet). 3 lower or less than in amount or degree (below freezing-point; temperature is 20 below). 4 lower in rank, position, or importance than. 5 unworthy of. --adv. 1 at or to a lower point or level. 2 a downstairs (lives below). b downstream. 3 (of a text reference) further forward on a page or in a book (as noted below). 4 on the lower side (looks similar above and below). 5 rhet. on earth; in hell. Ьbelow stairs in the basement of a house esp. as the part occupied by servants. [BE- + LOW(1)] Bel Paese n. propr. a rich white mild creamy cheese of a kind orig. made in Italy. [It., = fair country] belt n. & v. --n. 1 a strip of leather or other material worn round the waist or across the chest, esp. to retain or support clothes or to carry weapons or as a safety-belt. 2 a belt worn as a sign of rank or achievement. 3 a a circular band of material used as a driving medium in machinery. b a conveyor belt. c a flexible strip carrying machine-gun cartridges. 4 a strip of colour or texture etc. differing from that on each side. 5 a distinct region or extent (cotton belt; commuter belt; a belt of rain). 6 sl. a heavy blow. --v. 1 tr. put a belt round. 2 tr. (often foll. by on) fasten with a belt. 3 tr. a beat with a belt. b sl. hit hard. 4 intr. sl. rush, hurry (usu. with compl. : belted along; belted home). Ьbelow the belt unfair or unfairly; disregarding the rules. belt and braces (of a policy etc.) of twofold security. belt out sl. sing or utter loudly and forcibly. belt up Brit. 1 sl. be quiet. 2 colloq. put on a seat belt. tighten one's belt live more frugally. under one's belt 1 (of food) eaten. 2 securely acquired (has a degree under her belt). ЬЬbelter n. (esp. in sense of belt out). [OE f. Gmc f. L balteus] Beltane n. an ancient Celtic festival celebrated on May Day. [Gael. bealltainn] beltman n. (pl. -men) Austral. a member of a life-saving team of surfers. beluga n. 1 a a large kind of sturgeon, Huso huso. b caviare obtained from it. 2 a white whale. [Russ. beluga f. belyi white] belvedere n. a summer-house or open-sided gallery usu. at rooftop level. [It. f. bel beautiful + vedere see] belying pres. part. of BELIE. BEM abbr. British Empire Medal. bemire v.tr. 1 cover or stain with mud. 2 (in passive) be stuck in mud. [BE- + MIRE] bemoan v.tr. 1 express regret or sorrow over; lament. 2 complain about. [BE- + MOAN] bemuse v.tr. stupefy or bewilder (a person). ЬЬbemusedly adv. bemusement n. [BE- + MUSE(2)] ben(1) n. Sc. a high mountain or mountain peak, esp. in names (Ben Nevis). [Gael. beann] ben(2) n. Sc. an inner room, esp. of a two-roomed cottage. [ellipt. use of ben (adv.), = within (OE binnan)] bench n. & v. --n. 1 a long seat of wood or stone for seating several people. 2 a working-table, e.g. for a carpenter, mechanic, or scientist. 3 (prec. by the) a the office of judge or magistrate. b a judge's seat in a lawcourt. c a lawcourt. d judges and magistrates collectively. 4 (often in pl.) Sport an area to the side of a pitch, with seating where coaches and players not taking part can watch the game. 5 Brit. Parl. a seat appropriated as specified (front bench). 6 a level ledge in masonry or an earthwork, on a hill-slope, etc. --v.tr. 1 exhibit (a dog) at a show. 2 Sport US withdraw (a player) from the pitch to the benches. Ьbench test esp. Computing n. a test made by benchmarking. --v.tr. run a series of tests on (a computer etc.) before its use. King's (or Queen's) Bench (in the UK) a division of the High Court of Justice. on the bench appointed a judge or magistrate. [OE benc f. Gmc] bencher n. Brit. 1 Law a senior member of any of the Inns of Court. 2 (in comb.) Parl. an occupant of a specified bench (backbencher). benchmark n. & v. --n. 1 a surveyor's mark cut in a wall, pillar, building, etc., used as a reference point in measuring altitudes. 2 a standard or point of reference. 3 a means of testing a computer, usu. by a set of programs run on a series of different machines. --v.tr. evaluate (a computer) by a benchmark. Ьbenchmark test a test using a benchmark. bend(1) v. & n. --v. (past bent; past part. bent exc. in bended knee) 1 a tr. force or adapt (something straight) into a curve or angle. b intr. (of an object) be altered in this way. 2 intr. move or stretch in a curved course (the road bends to the left). 3 intr. & tr. (often foll. by down, over, etc.) incline or cause to incline from the vertical (bent down to pick it up). 4 tr. interpret or modify (a rule) to suit oneself. 5 tr. & refl. (foll. by to, on) direct or devote (oneself or one's attention, energies, etc.). 6 tr. turn (one's steps or eyes) in a new direction. 7 tr. (in passive; foll. by on) have firmly decided; be determined (was bent on selling; on pleasure bent). 8 a intr. stoop or submit (bent before his master). b tr. force to submit. 9 tr. Naut. attach (a sail or cable) with a knot. --n. 1 a curve in a road or other course. 2 a departure from a straight course. 3 a bent part of anything. 4 (in pl.; prec. by the) colloq. sickness due to too rapid decompression underwater. Ьbend over backwards see BACKWARDS. round the bend colloq. crazy, insane. ЬЬbendable adj. [OE bendan f. Gmc] bend(2) n. 1 Naut. any of various knots for tying ropes (fisherman's bend). 2 Heraldry a a diagonal stripe from top right to bottom left of a shield. b (bend sinister) a diagonal stripe from top left to bottom right, as a sign of bastardy. [OE bend band, bond f. Gmc] bender n. sl. a wild drinking-spree. [BEND(1) + -ER(1)] bendy adj. (bendier, bendiest) colloq. capable of bending; soft and flexible. ЬЬbendiness n. beneath prep. & adv. --prep. 1 not worthy of; too demeaning for (it was beneath him to reply). 2 below, under. --adv. below, under, underneath. Ьbeneath contempt see CONTEMPT. [OE binithan, bineothan f. bi BY + nithan etc. below f. Gmc] benedicite n. a blessing, esp. a grace said at table in religious communities. [ME f. L, = bless ye: see BENEDICTION] Benedictine in sense 2) n. & adj. --n. 1 a monk or nun of an order following the rule of St Benedict established c.540. 2 propr. a liqueur based on brandy, orig. made by Benedictines in France. --adj. of St Benedict or his order. [F b‚n‚dictine or mod.L benedictinus f. Benedictus Benedict] benediction n. 1 the utterance of a blessing, esp. at the end of a religious service or as a special Roman Catholic service. 2 the state of being blessed. [ME f. OF f. L benedictio -onis f. benedicere -dict- bless] benedictory adj. of or expressing benediction. [L benedictorius (as BENEDICTION)] Benedictus n. 1 the section of the Roman Catholic Mass beginning Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini (Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord). 2 a canticle beginning Benedictus Dominus Deus (Blessed be the Lord God) from Luke 1:68-79. [L, = blessed: see BENEDICTION] benefaction n. 1 a donation or gift. 2 an act of giving or doing good. [LL benefactio (as BENEFIT)] benefactor n. (fem. benefactress) a person who gives support (esp. financial) to a person or cause. [ME f. LL (as BENEFIT)] benefice n. 1 a living from a church office. 2 the property attached to a church office, esp. that bestowed on a rector or vicar. ЬЬbeneficed adj. [ME f. OF f. L beneficium favour f. bene well + facere do] beneficent adj. doing good; generous, actively kind. ЬЬbeneficence n. beneficently adv. [L beneficent- (as BENEFICE)] beneficial adj. 1 advantageous; having benefits. 2 Law relating to the use or benefit of property; having rights to this use or benefit. ЬЬbeneficially adv. [ME f. F b‚n‚ficial or LL beneficialis (as BENEFICE)] beneficiary n. (pl. -ies) 1 a person who receives benefits, esp. under a person's will. 2 a holder of a church living. [L beneficiarius (as BENEFICE)] benefit n. & v. --n. 1 a favourable or helpful factor or circumstance; advantage, profit. 2 (often in pl.) payment made under insurance or social security (sickness benefit). 3 a public performance or game of which the proceeds go to a particular player or company or charitable cause. --v. (benefited, benefiting; US benefitted, benefitting) 1 tr. do good to; bring advantage to. 2 intr. (often foll. by from, by) receive an advantage or gain. Ьbenefit of clergy 1 hist. exemption of the English tonsured clergy and nuns from the jurisdiction of the ordinary civil courts. 2 ecclesiastical sanction or approval (marriage without benefit of clergy). the benefit of the doubt a concession that a person is innocent, correct, etc., although doubt exists. benefit society a society for mutual insurance against illness or the effects of old age. [ME f. AF benfet, OF bienfet, f. L benefactum f. bene facere do well] Benelux n. Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxemburg in association as a regional economic group. [Belgium + Netherlands + Luxemburg] benevolent adj. 1 wishing to do good; actively friendly and helpful. 2 charitable (benevolent fund; benevolent society). ЬЬbenevolence n. benevolently adv. [ME f. OF benivolent f. L bene volens -entis well wishing f. velle wish] B.Eng. abbr. Bachelor of Engineering. Bengali n. & adj. --n. 1 a native of Bengal, a former Indian province now consisting of Bangladesh and the Indian State of W. Bengal. 2 the language of this people. --adj. of or relating to Bengal or its people or language. Bengal light n. a kind of firework giving off a blue flame, used for signals. benighted adj. 1 intellectually or morally ignorant. 2 overtaken by darkness. ЬЬbenightedness n. [obs. benight (v.)] benign adj. 1 gentle, mild, kindly. 2 fortunate, salutary. 3 (of the climate, soil, etc.) mild, favourable. 4 Med. (of a disease, tumour, etc.) not malignant. ЬЬbenignly adv. [ME f. OF benigne f. L benignus f. bene well + - genus born] benignant adj. 1 kindly, esp. to inferiors. 2 salutary, beneficial. 3 Med. = BENIGN. ЬЬbenignancy n. benignantly adv. [f. BENIGN or L benignus, after malignant] benignity n. (pl. -ies) 1 kindliness. 2 an act of kindness. [ME f. OF benignit‚ or L benignitas (as BENIGN)] benison n. archaic a blessing. [ME f. OF benei‡un f. L benedictio -onis] bent(1) past and past part. of BEND(1) v. --adj. 1 curved or having an angle. 2 sl. dishonest, illicit. 3 sl. sexually deviant. 4 (foll. by on) determined to do or have. --n. 1 an inclination or bias. 2 (foll. by for) a talent for something specified (a bent for mimicry). bent(2) n. 1 a any stiff grass of the genus Agrostis. b any of various grasslike reeds, rushes, or sedges. 2 a stiff stalk of a grass usu. with a flexible base. 3 archaic or dial. a heath or unenclosed pasture. [ME repr. OE beonet- (in place-names), f. Gmc] Benthamism n. the utilitarian philosophy of Jeremy Bentham, Engl. philosopher d. 1832. ЬЬBenthamite n. & adj. benthos n. the flora and fauna found at the bottom of a sea or lake. ЬЬbenthic adj. [Gk, = depth of the sea] bentonite n. a kind of absorbent clay used esp. as a filler. [Fort Benton in Montana, US] ben trovato adj. 1 well invented. 2 characteristic if not true. [It., = well found] bentwood n. wood that is artificially shaped for use in making furniture. benumb v.tr. 1 make numb; deaden. 2 paralyse (the mind or feelings). [orig. = deprived, as past part. of ME benimen f. OE beniman (as BE-, niman take)] Benzedrine n. propr. amphetamine. [BENZOIC + EPHEDRINE] benzene n. a colourless carcinogenic volatile liquid found in coal tar, petroleum, etc., and used as a solvent and in the manufacture of plastics etc. °Chem. formula: C[6]H[6]. Ьbenzene ring the hexagonal unsaturated ring of six carbon atoms in the benzene molecule. ЬЬbenzenoid adj. [BENZOIC + -ENE] benzine n. (also benzin) a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum. [BENZOIN + -INE(4)] benzoic adj. containing or derived from benzoin or benzoic acid. Ьbenzoic acid a white crystalline substance used as a food preservative. °Chem. formula: C[7]H[6]O[2].. [BENZOIN + -IC] benzoin n. 1 a fragrant gum resin obtained from various E. Asian trees of the genus Styrax, and used in the manufacture of perfumes and incense. 2 the white crystalline constituent of this. Also called gum benjamin. [earlier benjoin ult. f. Arab. luban jawi incense of Java] benzol n. (also benzole) benzene, esp. unrefined and used as a fuel. benzoyl n. (usu. attrib.) Chem. the radical C[6]H[5]CO. benzyl n. (usu. attrib.) Chem. the radical C[6]H[5]CH[2].. bequeath v.tr. 1 leave (a personal estate) to a person by a will. 2 hand down to posterity. ЬЬbequeathal n. bequeather n. [OE becwethan (as BE-, cwethan say: cf. QUOTH)] bequest n. 1 the act or an instance of bequeathing. 2 a thing bequeathed. [ME f. BE- + obs. quiste f. OE -cwiss, cwide saying] berate v.tr. scold, rebuke. [BE- + RATE(2)] Berber n. & adj. --n. 1 a member of the indigenous mainly Muslim Caucasian peoples of N. Africa. 2 the language of these peoples. --adj. of the Berbers or their language. [Arab. barbar] berberis n. = BARBERRY. [med.L & OF, of unkn. orig.] berceuse n. (pl. berceuses pronunc. same) 1 a lullaby. 2 an instrumental piece in the style of a lullaby. [F] bereave v.tr. (esp. as bereaved adj.) (foll. by of) deprive of a relation, friend, etc., esp. by death. ЬЬbereavement n. [OE bereafian (as BE-, REAVE)] bereft adj. (foll. by of) deprived (esp. of a non-material asset) (bereft of hope). [past part. of BEREAVE] beret n. a round flattish cap of felt or cloth. [F b‚ret Basque cap f. Prov. berret] berg(1) n. = ICEBERG. [abbr.] berg(2) n. S.Afr. a mountain or hill. Ьberg wind a hot dry northerly wind blowing from the interior to coastal districts. [Afrik. f. Du.] bergamot(1) n. 1 an aromatic herb, esp. Mentha citrata. 2 an oily perfume extracted from the rind of the fruit of the citrus tree Citrus bergamia, a dwarf variety of the Seville orange tree. 3 the tree itself. [Bergamo in N. Italy] bergamot(2) n. a variety of fine pear. [F bergamotte f. It. bergamotta f. Turk. begarmudi prince's pear f. beg prince + armudi pear] bergschrund n. a crevasse or gap at the head of a glacier or n‚v‚. [G] beriberi n. a disease causing inflammation of the nerves due to a deficiency of vitamin B[1].. [Sinh., f. beri weakness] berk n. (also burk) Brit. sl. a fool; a stupid person. °Usu. not considered offens. despite the etymology. [abbr. of Berkeley or Berkshire Hunt, rhyming sl. for cunt] berkelium n. Chem. a transuranic radioactive metallic element produced by bombardment of americium. °Symb.: Bk. [mod.L f. Berkeley in California (where first made) + -IUM] Berks. abbr. Berkshire. Berliner n. 1 a native or citizen of Berlin in Germany. 2 a lightly fried yeast bun with jam filling and vanilla icing. [G] berm n. 1 a narrow path or grass strip beside a road, canal, etc. 2 a narrow ledge, esp. in a fortification between a ditch and the base of a parapet. [F berme f. Du. berm] Bermuda shorts n.pl. (also Bermudas) close-fitting shorts reaching the knees. [Bermuda in the W. Atlantic] Bermuda triangle n. an area of the western Atlantic where ships and aircraft are reported to have disappeared without trace. berry n. & v. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 any small roundish juicy fruit without a stone. 2 Bot. a fruit with its seeds enclosed in a pulp (e.g. a banana, tomato, etc.). 3 any of various kernels or seeds (e.g. coffee bean etc.). 4 a fish egg or roe of a lobster etc. --v.intr. (-ies, -ied) 1 (usu. as berrying n.) go gathering berries. 2 form a berry; bear berries. ЬЬberried adj. (also in comb.). [OE berie f. Gmc] berserk adj. & n. --adj. (esp. in go berserk) wild, frenzied; in a violent rage. --n. (also berserker) an ancient Norse warrior who fought with a wild frenzy. [Icel. berserkr (n.) prob. f. bern- BEAR(2) + serkr coat] berth n. & v. --n. 1 a fixed bunk on a ship, train, etc., for sleeping in. 2 a ship's place at a wharf. 3 room for a ship to swing at anchor. 4 adequate sea room. 5 colloq. a situation or appointment. 6 the proper place for anything. --v. 1 tr. moor (a ship) in its berth. 2 tr. provide a sleeping place for. 3 intr. (of a ship) come to its mooring-place. Ьgive a wide berth to stay away from. [prob. f. naut. use of BEAR(1) + -TH(2)] bertha n. 1 a deep falling collar often of lace. 2 a small cape on a dress. [F berthe f. Berthe Bertha (the name)] beryl n. 1 a kind of transparent precious stone, esp. pale green, blue, or yellow, and consisting of beryllium aluminium silicate in a hexagonal form. 2 a mineral species which includes this, emerald, and aquamarine. [ME f. OF f. L beryllus f. Gk berullos] beryllium n. Chem. a hard white metallic element used in the manufacture of light corrosion-resistant alloys. °Symb.: Be. [BERYL + -IUM] beseech v.tr. (past and past part. besought or beseeched) 1 (foll. by for, or to + infin.) entreat. 2 ask earnestly for. ЬЬbeseeching adj. [ME f. BE- + secan SEEK] beset v.tr. (besetting; past and past part. beset) 1 attack or harass persistently (beset by worries). 2 surround or hem in (a person etc.). 3 archaic cover round with (beset with pearls). Ьbesetting sin the sin that especially or most frequently tempts one. ЬЬbesetment n. [OE besettan f. Gmc] beside prep. 1 at the side of; near. 2 compared with. 3 irrelevant to (beside the point). Ьbeside oneself overcome with worry, anger, etc. [OE be sidan (as BY, SIDE)] besides prep. & adv. --prep. in addition to; apart from. --adv. also; as well; moreover. besiege v.tr. 1 lay siege to. 2 crowd round oppressively. 3 harass with requests. ЬЬbesieger n. [ME f. assiege by substitution of BE-, f. OF asegier f. Rmc] besmear v.tr. 1 smear with greasy or sticky stuff. 2 sully (a reputation etc.). [OE bismierwan (as BE-, SMEAR)] besmirch v.tr. 1 soil, discolour. 2 dishonour; sully the reputation or name of. [BE- + SMIRCH] besom n. 1 a broom made of twigs tied round a stick. 2 esp. N.Engl. derog. or joc. a woman. [OE besema] besotted adj. 1 infatuated. 2 foolish, confused. 3 intoxicated, stupefied. [besot (v.) (as BE-, SOT)] besought past and past part. of BESEECH. bespangle v.tr. adorn with spangles. bespatter v.tr. 1 spatter (an object) all over. 2 spatter (liquid etc.) about. 3 overwhelm with abuse etc. bespeak v.tr. (past bespoke; past part. bespoken or as adj. bespoke) 1 engage in advance. 2 order (goods). 3 suggest; be evidence of (his gift bespeaks a kind heart). 4 literary speak to. [OE bisprecan (as BE-, SPEAK)] bespectacled adj. wearing spectacles. bespoke past and past part. of BESPEAK. --adj. 1 (of goods, esp. clothing) made to order. 2 (of a tradesman) making goods to order. bespoken past part. of BESPEAK. besprinkle v.tr. 1 sprinkle or strew all over with liquid etc. 2 sprinkle (liquid etc.) over. [ME f. BE- + sprengen in the same sense] Bessemer converter n. a special furnace used to purify pig-iron using the Bessemer process. [Sir H. Bessemer, Engl. engineer d. 1898] Bessemer process n. a process once widely used, in which air is blown through molten pig-iron to remove carbon, silicon, and other impurities in order to render it suitable for making steel. best adj., adv., n., & v. --adj. (superl. of GOOD) of the most excellent or outstanding or desirable kind (my best work; the best solution; the best thing to do would be to confess). --adv. (superl. of WELL(1)). 1 in the best manner (does it best). 2 to the greatest degree (like it best). 3 most usefully (is best ignored). --n. 1 that which is best (the best is yet to come). 2 the chief merit or advantage (brings out the best in him). 3 (foll. by of) a winning majority of (a certain number of games etc. played) (the best of five). 4 = Sunday best. --v.tr. colloq. defeat, outwit, outbid, etc. Ьall the best an expression used to wish a person good fortune. as best one can (or may) as effectively as possible under the circumstances. at best on the most optimistic view. at one's best in peak condition etc. at the best of times even in the most favourable circumstances. be for (or all for) the best be desirable in the end. best end of neck the rib end of a neck of lamb etc. for cooking. best man the bridegroom's chief attendant at a wedding. the best part of most of. best seller 1 a book or other item that has sold in large numbers. 2 the author of such a book. do one's best do all one can. get the best of defeat, outwit. give a person the best admit the superiority of that person. had best would find it wisest to. make the best of derive what limited advantage one can from (something unsatisfactory or unwelcome); put up with. to the best of one's ability, knowledge , etc. as far as one can do, know, etc. with the best of them as well as anyone. [OE betest (adj.), bet(o)st (adv.), f. Gmc] bestial adj. 1 brutish, cruel, savage. 2 sexually depraved; lustful. 3 of or like a beast. ЬЬbestialize v.tr. (also -ise). bestially adv. [ME f. OF f. LL bestialis f. bestia beast] bestiality n. (pl. -ies) 1 bestial behaviour or an instance of this. 2 sexual intercourse between a person and an animal. [F bestialit‚ (as BESTIAL)] bestiary n. (pl. -ies) a moralizing medieval treatise on real and imaginary beasts. [med.L bestiarium f. L bestia beast] bestir v.refl. (bestirred, bestirring) exert or rouse (oneself). bestow v.tr. 1 (foll. by on, upon) confer (a gift, right, etc.). 2 deposit. ЬЬbestowal n. [ME f. BE- + OE stow a place] bestrew v.tr. (past part. bestrewed or bestrewn) 1 (foll. by with) cover or partly cover (a surface). 2 scatter (things) about. 3 lie scattered over. [OE bestreowian (as BE-, STREW)] bestride v.tr. (past bestrode; past part. bestridden) 1 sit astride on. 2 stand astride over. [OE bestridan] bet v. & n. --v. (betting; past and past part. bet or betted) 1 intr. (foll. by on or against with ref. to the outcome) risk a sum of money etc. against another's on the basis of the outcome of an unpredictable event (esp. the result of a race, game, etc., or the outcome in a game of chance). 2 tr. risk (an amount) on such an outcome or result (bet њ10 on a horse). 3 tr. risk a sum of money against (a person). 4 tr. colloq. feel sure (bet they've forgotten it). --n. 1 the act of betting (make a bet). 2 the money etc. staked (put a bet on). 3 colloq. an opinion, esp. a quickly formed or spontaneous one (my bet is that he won't come). 4 colloq. a choice or course of action (she's our best bet). Ьyou bet you may be sure. [16th c.: perh. a shortened form of ABET] beta n. 1 the second letter of the Greek alphabet (B, б). 2 a second-class mark given for a piece of work or in an examination. 3 Astron. the second brightest star in a constellation. 4 the second member of a series. Ьbeta-blocker Pharm. a drug that prevents the stimulation of increased cardiac action, used to treat angina and reduce high blood pressure. beta particle (or ray) a fast-moving electron emitted by radioactive decay of substances (orig. regarded as rays). [ME f. L f. Gk] betake v.refl. (past betook; past part. betaken) (foll. by to) go to (a place or person). betatron n. Physics an apparatus for accelerating electrons in a circular path by magnetic induction. [BETA + -TRON] betel n. the leaf of the Asian evergreen climbing plant Piper betle, chewed in the East with parings of the areca nut. Ьbetel-nut the areca nut. [Port. f. Malayalam vettila] b€te noire n. (pl. b€tes noires pronunc. same) a person or thing one particularly dislikes or fears. [F, = black beast] bethink v.refl. (past and past part. bethought) (foll. by of, how, or that + clause) formal 1 reflect; stop to think. 2 be reminded by reflection. [OE bithencan f. Gmc (as BE-, THINK)] betide v. (only in infin. and 3rd sing. subj.) 1 tr. happen to (woe betide him). 2 intr. happen (whate'er may betide). [ME f. obs. tide befall f. OE tidan] betimes adv. literary early; in good time. [ME f. obs. betime (as BY, TIME)] b€tise n. 1 a foolish or ill-timed remark or action. 2 a piece of folly. [F] betoken v.tr. 1 be a sign of; indicate. 2 augur. [OE (as BE-, tacnian signify: see TOKEN)] betony n. 1 a purple-flowered plant, Stachys officinalis. 2 any of various similar plants. [ME f. OF betoine f. L betonica] betook past of BETAKE. betray v.tr. 1 place (a person, one's country, etc.) in the hands or power of an enemy. 2 be disloyal to (another person, a person's trust, etc.). 3 reveal involuntarily or treacherously; be evidence of (his shaking hand betrayed his fear). 4 lead astray or into error. ЬЬbetrayal n. betrayer n. [ME f. obs. tray, ult. f. L tradere hand over] betroth v.tr. (usu. as betrothed adj.) bind with a promise to marry. ЬЬbetrothal n. [ME f. BE- + trouthe, treuthe TRUTH, later assim. to TROTH] better(1) adj., adv., n., & v. --adj. (compar. of GOOD). 1 of a more excellent or outstanding or desirable kind (a better product; it would be better to go home). 2 partly or fully recovered from illness (feeling better). --adv. (compar. of WELL(1)). 1 in a better manner (she sings better). 2 to a greater degree (like it better). 3 more usefully or advantageously (is better forgotten). --n. 1 that which is better (the better of the two). 2 (usu. in pl.; prec. by my etc.) one's superior in ability or rank (take notice of your betters). --v. 1 tr. improve on; surpass (I can better his offer). 2 tr. make better; improve. 3 refl. improve one's position etc. 4 intr. become better; improve. Ьbetter feelings one's conscience. better half colloq. one's wife or husband. better off in a better (esp. financial) position. the better part of most of. for better or for worse on terms accepting all results; whatever the outcome. get the better of defeat, outwit; win an advantage over. go one better 1 outbid etc. by one. 2 outdo another person. had better would find it wiser to. [OE betera f. Gmc] better(2) n. (also bettor) a person who bets. betterment n. 1 making better; improvement. 2 Econ. enhanced value (of real property) arising from local improvements. betting n. 1 gambling by risking money on an unpredictable outcome. 2 the odds offered in this. Ьbetting-shop Brit. a bookmaker's shop or office. what's the betting? colloq. it is likely or to be expected (what's the betting he'll be late?). bettor var. of BETTER(2). between prep. & adv. --prep. 1 a at or to a point in the area or interval bounded by two or more other points in space, time, etc. (broke down between London and Dover; we must meet between now and Friday). b along the extent of such an area or interval (there are five shops between here and the main road; works best between five and six; the numbers between 10 and 20). 2 separating, physically or conceptually (the distance between here and Leeds; the difference between right and wrong). 3 a by combining the resources of (great potential between them; between us we could afford it). b shared by; as the joint resources of (њ5 between them). c by joint or reciprocal action (an agreement between us; sorted it out between themselves). °In sense 3 with reference to more than two people or things is established and acceptable (e.g. relations between Britain, France, and Germany). 4 to and from (runs between London and Sheffield). 5 taking one and rejecting the other of (decide between eating here and going out). --adv. (also in between) at a point or in the area bounded by two or more other points in space, time, sequence, etc. (not fat or thin but in between). Ьbetween ourselves (or you and me) in confidence. between times (or whiles) in the intervals between other actions; occasionally. [OE betweonum f. Gmc (as BY, TWO)] betwixt prep. & adv. archaic between. Ьbetwixt and between colloq. neither one thing nor the other. [ME f. OE betweox f. Gmc: cf. AGAINST] BeV abbr. a billion (=10(9)) electron-volts. Also called GEV. bevatron n. a synchrotron used to accelerate protons to energies in the billion electronvolt range. [BEV + -TRON] bevel n. & v. --n. 1 a slope from the horizontal or vertical in carpentry and stonework; a sloping surface or edge. 2 (in full bevel square) a tool for marking angles in carpentry and stonework. --v. (bevelled, bevelling; US beveled, beveling) 1 tr. reduce (a square edge) to a sloping edge. 2 intr. slope at an angle; slant. Ьbevel gear a gear working another gear at an angle to it by means of bevel wheels. bevel wheel a toothed wheel whose working face is oblique to the axis. [OF bevel (unrecorded) f. ba‹f f. baer gape] beverage n. formal a drink (hot beverage; alcoholic beverage). [ME f. OF be(u)vrage, ult. f. L bibere drink] bevy n. (pl. -ies) 1 a flock of quails or larks. 2 a company or group (orig. of women). [15th c.: orig. unkn.] bewail v.tr. 1 greatly regret or lament. 2 wail over; mourn for. ЬЬbewailer n. beware v. (only in imper. or infin.) 1 intr. (often foll. by of, or that, lest, etc. + clause) be cautious, take heed (beware of the dog; told us to beware; beware that you don't fall). 2 tr. be cautious of (beware the Ides of March). [BE + WARE(3)] bewilder v.tr. utterly perplex or confuse. ЬЬbewilderedly adv. bewildering adj. bewilderingly adv. bewilderment n. [BE- + obs. wilder lose one's way] bewitch v.tr. 1 enchant; greatly delight. 2 cast a spell on. ЬЬbewitching adj. bewitchingly adv. [ME f. BE- + OE wiccian enchant f. wicca WITCH] bey n. hist. (in the Ottoman Empire) the title of a governor of a province. [Turk.] beyond prep., adv., & n. --prep. 1 at or to the further side of (beyond the river). 2 outside the scope, range, or understanding of (beyond repair; beyond a joke; it is beyond me). 3 more than. --adv. 1 at or to the further side. 2 further on. --n. (prec. by the) the unknown after death. Ьthe back of beyond see BACK. [OE beg(e)ondan (as BY, YON, YONDER)] bezant n. 1 hist. a gold or silver coin orig. minted at Byzantium. 2 Heraldry a gold roundel. [ME f. OF besanz -ant f. L Byzantius Byzantine] bezel n. 1 the sloped edge of a chisel. 2 the oblique faces of a cut gem. 3 a a groove holding a watch-glass or gem. b a rim holding a glass etc. cover. [OF besel (unrecorded: cf. F b‚seau, bizeau) of unkn. orig.] bezique n. 1 a card-game for two with a double pack of 64 cards, including the ace to seven only in each suit. 2 a combination of the queen of spades and the jack of diamonds in this game. [F b‚sigue, perh. f. Pers. bazigar juggler] bezoar n. a small stone which may form in the stomachs of certain animals, esp. ruminants, and which was once used as an antidote for various ills. [ult. f. Pers. padzahr antidote, Arab. bazahr] 7.0 b.f. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- b.f. abbr. 1 Brit. colloq. bloody fool. 2 brought forward. 3 Printing bold face. 8.0 bhang... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- bhang n. the leaves and flower-tops of Indian hemp used as a narcotic. [Port. bangue, Pers. bang, & Urdu etc. bhang f. Skr. bhanga] bharal n. (also burhel) a Himalayan wild sheep, Pseudois nayaur, with blue-black coat and horns curved rearward. [Hindi] b.h.p. abbr. brake horsepower. 9.0 Bi... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Bi symb. Chem. the element bismuth. bi- comb. form (often bin- before a vowel) forming nouns and adjectives meaning: 1 having two; a thing having two (bilateral; binaural; biplane). 2 a occurring twice in every one or once in every two (bi-weekly). b lasting for two (biennial). 3 doubly; in two ways (biconcave). 4 Chem. a substance having a double proportion of the acid etc. indicated by the simple word (bicarbonate). 5 Bot. & Zool. (of division and subdivision) twice over (bipinnate). [L] biannual adj. occurring, appearing, etc., twice a year (cf. BIENNIAL). ЬЬbiannually adv. bias n. & v. --n. 1 (often foll. by towards, against) a predisposition or prejudice. 2 Statistics a systematic distortion of a statistical result due to a factor not allowed for in its derivation. 3 an edge cut obliquely across the weave of a fabric. 4 Sport a the irregular shape given to a bowl. b the oblique course this causes it to run. 5 Electr. a steady voltage, magnetic field, etc., applied to an electronic system or device. --v.tr. (biased, biasing; biassed, biassing) 1 (esp. as biased adj.) influence (usu. unfairly); prejudice. 2 give a bias to. Ьbias binding a strip of fabric cut obliquely and used to bind edges. on the bias obliquely, diagonally. [F biais, of unkn. orig.] biathlon n. Sport an athletic contest in skiing and shooting. ЬЬbiathlete n. [BI-, after PENTATHLON] biaxial adj. (esp. of crystals) having two axes along which polarized light travels with equal velocity. bib(1) n. 1 a piece of cloth or plastic fastened round a child's neck to keep the clothes clean while eating. 2 the top front part of an apron, dungarees, etc. 3 the edible marine fish Trisopterus luscus of the cod family. Also called POUT(2). Ьbest bib and tucker best clothes. stick (or poke etc.) one's bib in Austral. sl. interfere. [perh. f. BIB(2)] bib(2) v.intr. (bibbed, bibbing) archaic drink much or often. ЬЬbibber n. [ME, perh. f. L bibere drink] bib-cock n. a tap with a bent nozzle fixed at the end of a pipe. [perh. f. BIB(1) + COCK(1)] bibelot n. a small curio or artistic trinket. [F] Bible n. 1 a the Christian scriptures consisting of the Old and New Testaments. b the Jewish scriptures. c (bible) any copy of these (three bibles on the table). d a particular edition of the Bible (New English Bible). 2 colloq. any authoritative book (Wisden is his Bible). 3 the scriptures of any non-Christian religion. ЬBible-basher (or -thumper etc.) a person given to Bible-bashing. Bible-bashing (or -thumping etc.) sl. aggressive fundamentalist preaching. Bible belt esp. US the reputedly puritanical area of the southern and central US. Bible oath a solemn oath taken on the Bible. [ME f. OF f. eccl.L biblia f. Gk biblia books (pl. of biblion), orig. dimin. of biblos, bublos papyrus] biblical adj. 1 of, concerning, or contained in the Bible. 2 resembling the language of the Authorized Version of the Bible. ЬЬbiblically adv. biblio- comb. form denoting a book or books. [Gk f. biblion book] bibliography n. (pl. -ies) 1 a a list of the books referred to in a scholarly work, usu. printed as an appendix. b a list of the books of a specific author or publisher, or on a specific subject, etc. 2 a the history or description of books, including authors, editions, etc. b any book containing such information. ЬЬbibliographer n. bibliographic adj. bibliographical adj. bibliographically adv. bibliographize v.tr. (also -ise). [F bibliographie f. mod.L bibliographia f. Gk (as BIBLE, -GRAPHY)] bibliomancy n. foretelling the future by the analysis of a randomly chosen passage from a book, esp. the Bible. bibliomania n. an extreme enthusiasm for collecting and possessing books. ЬЬbibliomaniac n. & adj. bibliophile n. (also bibliophil) a person who collects or is fond of books. ЬЬbibliophilic adj. bibliophily n. [F bibliophile (as BIBLIO-, -PHILE)] bibliopole n. a seller of (esp. rare) books. ЬЬbibliopoly n. [L bibliopola f. Gk bibliopoles f. biblion book + poles seller] bibulous adj. given to drinking alcoholic liquor. ЬЬbibulously adv. bibulousness n. [L bibulus freely drinking f. bibere drink] bicameral adj. (of a parliament or legislative body) having two chambers. ЬЬbicameralism n. [BI- + L camera chamber] bicarb n. colloq. = BICARBONATE 2. [abbr.] bicarbonate n. 1 Chem. any acid salt of carbonic acid. 2 (in full bicarbonate of soda) sodium bicarbonate used as an antacid or in baking powder. bice n. 1 any of various pigments made from blue or green basic copper carbonate. 2 any similar pigment made from smalt. 3 a shade of blue or green given by these. Ьblue bice a shade of blue between ultramarine and azure derived from smalt. green bice a yellowish green colour derived by adding yellow orpiment to smalt. [orig. = brownish grey, f. OF bis dark grey, of unkn. orig.] bicentenary n. & adj. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 a two-hundredth anniversary. 2 a celebration of this. --adj. of or concerning a bicentenary. bicentennial n. & adj. esp. US --n. a bicentenary. --adj. 1 lasting two hundred years or occurring every two hundred years. 2 of or concerning a bicentenary. bicephalous adj. having two heads. biceps n. a muscle having two heads or attachments, esp. the one which bends the elbow. [L, = two-headed, formed as BI- + - ceps f. caput head] bicker v.intr. 1 quarrel pettily; wrangle. 2 poet. a (of a stream, rain, etc.) patter (over stones etc.). b (of a flame, light, etc.) flash, flicker. ЬЬbickerer n. [ME biker, beker, of unkn. orig.] bicolour adj. & n. --adj. having two colours. --n. a bicolour blossom or animal. biconcave adj. (esp. of a lens) concave on both sides. biconvex adj. (esp. of a lens) convex on both sides. bicultural adj. having or combining two cultures. bicuspid adj. & n. --adj. having two cusps or points. --n. 1 the premolar tooth in humans. 2 a tooth with two cusps. ЬЬbicuspidate adj. [BI- + L cuspis -idis sharp point] bicycle n. & v. --n. a vehicle of two wheels held in a frame one behind the other, propelled by pedals and steered with handlebars attached to the front wheel. --v.intr. ride a bicycle. Ьbicycle-chain a chain transmitting power from the bicycle pedals to the wheels. bicycle-clip either of two metal clips used to confine a cyclist's trousers at the ankle. bicycle-pump a portable pump for inflating bicycle tyres. ЬЬbicycler n. bicyclist n. [F f. BI- + Gk kuklos wheel] bid v. & n. --v. (bidding; past bid, archaic bade; past part. bid, archaic bidden) 1 tr. & intr. (past and past part. bid) (often foll. by for, against) a (esp. at an auction) offer (a certain price) (did not bid for the vase; bid against the dealer; bid њ20). b offer to do work etc. for a stated price. 2 tr. archaic or literary a command; order (bid the soldiers shoot). b invite (bade her start). 3 tr. archaic or literary a utter (greeting or farewell) to (I bade him welcome). b proclaim (defiance etc.). 4 (past and past part. bid) Cards a intr. state before play how many tricks one intends to make. b tr. state (one's intended number of tricks). --n. 1 a (esp. at an auction) an offer (of a price) (a bid of њ5). b an offer (to do work, supply goods, etc.) at a stated price; a tender. 2 Cards a statement of the number of tricks a player proposes to make. 3 colloq. an attempt; an effort (a bid for power). Ьbid fair to seem likely to. make a bid for try to gain (made a bid for freedom). ЬЬbidder n. [OE biddan ask f. Gmc, & OE beodan offer, command] biddable adj. 1 obedient. 2 Cards (of a hand or suit) suitable for being bid. ЬЬbiddability n. bidden archaic past part. of BID. bidding n. 1 the offers at an auction. 2 Cards the act of making a bid or bids. 3 a command, request, or invitation. Ьbidding-prayer one inviting the congregation to join in. biddy n. (pl. -ies) sl. derog. a woman (esp. old biddy). [pet-form of the name Bridget] bide v.intr. archaic or dial. remain; stay. Ьbide one's time await one's best opportunity. [OE bidan f. Gmc] bidet n. a low oval basin used esp. for washing the genital area. [F, = pony] Biedermeier attrib.adj. 1 (of styles, furnishings, etc.) characteristic of the period 1815-48 in Germany. 2 derog. conventional; bourgeois. [Biedermaier a fictitious German poet (1854)] biennial adj. & n. --adj. 1 lasting two years. 2 recurring every two years (cf. BIANNUAL). --n. 1 Bot. a plant that takes two years to grow from seed to fruition and die (cf. ANNUAL, PERENNIAL). 2 an event celebrated or taking place every two years. ЬЬbiennially adv. [L biennis (as BI-, annus year)] biennium n. (pl. bienniums or biennia) a period of two years. [L (as BIENNIAL)] bier n. a movable frame on which a coffin or a corpse is placed, or taken to a grave. [OE ber f. Gmc] biff n. & v. sl. --n. a sharp blow. --v.tr. strike (a person). [imit.] biffin n. Brit. a deep-red cooking-apple. [= beefing f. BEEF + -ING(1), with ref. to the colour] bifid adj. divided by a deep cleft into two parts. [L bifidus (as BI-, fidus f. stem of findere cleave)] bifocal adj. & n. --adj. having two focuses, esp. of a lens with a part for distant vision and a part for near vision. --n. (in pl.) bifocal spectacles. bifurcate v. & adj. --v.tr. & intr. divide into two branches; fork. --adj. forked; branched. [med.L bifurcare f. L bifurcus two-forked (as BI-, furca fork)] bifurcation n. 1 a a division into two branches. b either or both of such branches. 2 the point of such a division. big adj. & adv. --adj. (bigger, biggest) 1 a of considerable size, amount, intensity, etc. (a big mistake; a big helping). b of a large or the largest size (big toe; big drum). 2 important; significant; outstanding (the big race; my big chance). 3 a grown up (a big boy now). b elder (big sister). 4 colloq. a boastful (big words; big mouth). b often iron. generous (big of him). c ambitious (big ideas). 5 (usu. foll. by with) advanced in pregnancy; fecund (big with child; big with consequences). --adv. colloq. in a big manner, esp.: 1 effectively (went over big). 2 boastfully (talk big). 3 ambitiously (think big). ЬBig Apple US sl. New York City. big band a large jazz or pop orchestra. big bang Stock Exch. (in the UK) the introduction in 1986 of important changes in the regulations and procedures for trading, esp. the widening of membership, the relaxation of rules for brokers, and the introduction of computerized communications. big bang theory the theory that the universe began with the explosion of dense matter. Big Ben the great clock tower of the Houses of Parliament and its bell. Big Board US colloq. the New York Stock Exchange. Big Brother an all-powerful supposedly benevolent dictator (as in Orwell's 1984). big bud a plant disease caused by the gall-mite. big bug sl. = BIGWIG. big business large-scale financial dealings, esp. when sinister or exploitative. Big Chief (or Daddy) sl. = BIGWIG. big deal! sl. iron. I am not impressed. big dipper 1 a fairground switchback. 2 US = the Great Bear (see BEAR(2)). big end (in a motor vehicle) the end of the connecting-rod that encircles the crankpin. big game large animals hunted for sport. big gun sl. = BIGWIG. big-head colloq. a conceited person. big-headed colloq. conceited. big-headedness colloq. conceitedness. big-hearted generous. big house 1 the principal house in a village etc. 2 sl. a prison. big idea often iron. the important intention or scheme. big money large amounts; high profit; high pay. big name a famous person. big noise (or pot or shot) colloq. = BIGWIG. big smoke Brit. sl. 1 London. 2 any large town. big stick a display of force. Big Three (or Four etc.) the predominant few. the big time sl. success in a profession, esp. show business. big-timer sl. a person who achieves success. big top the main tent in a circus. big tree US a giant evergreen conifer, Sequoiadendron giganteum, usu. with a trunk of large girth. big wheel 1 a Ferris wheel. 2 US sl. = BIGWIG. come (or go) over big make a great effect. in a big way 1 on a large scale. 2 colloq. with great enthusiasm, display, etc. look (or talk) big boast. think big be ambitious. too big for one's boots (or breeches) sl. conceited. ЬЬbiggish adj. bigness n. [ME: orig. unkn.] bigamy n. (pl. -ies) the crime of marrying when one is lawfully married to another person. ЬЬbigamist n. bigamous adj. [ME f. OF bigamie f. bigame bigamous f. LL bigamus (as BI-, Gk gamos marriage)] bighorn n. an American sheep, Ovis canadensis, esp. native to the Rocky Mountains. bight n. 1 a curve or recess in a coastline, river, etc. 2 a loop of rope. [OE byht, MLG bucht f. Gmc: see BOW(2)] bigot n. an obstinate and intolerant believer in a religion, political theory, etc. ЬЬbigotry n. [16th c. f. F: orig. unkn.] bigoted adj. unreasonably prejudiced and intolerant. bigwig n. colloq. an important person. bijou n. & adj. --n. (pl. bijoux pronunc. same) a jewel; a trinket. --attrib.adj. (bijou) small and elegant. [F] bijouterie n. jewellery; trinkets. [F (as BIJOU, -ERY)] bike n. & v. colloq. --n. a bicycle or motor cycle. --v.intr. ride a bicycle or motor cycle. [abbr.] biker n. a cyclist, esp. a motor cyclist. bikini n. a two-piece swimsuit for women. Ьbikini briefs women's scanty briefs. [Bikini, an atoll in the Marshall Islands in the Pacific where an atomic bomb was exploded in 1946, from the supposed 'explosive' effect] bilabial adj. Phonet. (of a sound etc.) made with closed or nearly closed lips. bilateral adj. 1 of, on, or with two sides. 2 affecting or between two parties, countries, etc. (bilateral negotiations). Ьbilateral symmetry symmetry about a plane. ЬЬbilaterally adv. bilberry n. (pl. -ies) 1 a hardy dwarf shrub, Vaccinium myrtillus, of N. Europe, growing on heaths and mountains, and having red drooping flowers and dark blue berries. 2 the small blue edible berry of this species. 3 any of various shrubs of the genus Vaccinium having dark blue berries. [orig. uncert.: cf. Da. b”lleb‘r] bilbo n. (pl. -os or -oes) hist. a sword noted for the temper and elasticity of its blade. [Bilboa = Bilbao in Spain] bilboes n.pl. hist. an iron bar with sliding shackles for a prisoner's ankles. [16th c.: orig. unkn.] Bildungsroman n. a novel dealing with one person's early life and development. [G] bile n. 1 a bitter greenish-brown alkaline fluid which aids digestion and is secreted by the liver and stored in the gall-bladder. 2 bad temper; peevish anger. Ьbile-duct the duct which conveys bile from the liver and the gall-bladder to the duodenum. [F f. L bilis] bilge n. & v. --n. 1 a the almost flat part of a ship's bottom, inside or out. b (in full bilge-water) filthy water that collects inside the bilge. 2 sl. nonsense; rot (don't talk bilge). --v. 1 tr. stave in the bilge of (a ship). 2 intr. spring a leak in the bilge. 3 intr. swell out; bulge. Ьbilge-keel a plate or timber fastened under the bilge to prevent rolling. [prob. var. of BULGE] bilharzia n. 1 a tropical flatworm of the genus Schistosoma (formerly Bilharzia) which is parasitic in blood vessels in the human pelvic region. Also called SCHISTOSOME. 2 the chronic tropical disease produced by its presence. Also called BILHARZIASIS, SCHISTOSOMIASIS. [mod.L f. T. Bilharz, Ger. physician d. 1862] bilharziasis n. the disease of bilharzia. Also called SCHISTOSOMIASIS. biliary adj. of the bile. [F biliaire: see BILE, -ARY(2)] bilingual adj. & n. --adj. 1 able to speak two languages, esp. fluently. 2 spoken or written in two languages. --n. a bilingual person. ЬЬbilingualism n. [L bilinguis (as BI-, lingua tongue)] bilious adj. 1 affected by a disorder of the bile. 2 bad-tempered. ЬЬbiliously adv. biliousness n. [L biliosus f. bilis bile] bilirubin n. the orange-yellow pigment occurring in bile. [G f. L bilis BILE + ruber red] bilk v.tr. sl. 1 cheat. 2 give the slip to. 3 avoid paying (a creditor or debt). ЬЬbilker n. [orig. uncert., perh. = BALK: earliest use (17th c.) in cribbage, = spoil one's opponent's score] bill(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a a printed or written statement of charges for goods supplied or services rendered. b the amount owed (ran up a bill of њ300). 2 a draft of a proposed law. 3 a a poster; a placard. b = HANDBILL. 4 a a printed list, esp. a theatre programme. b the entertainment itself (top of the bill). 5 US a banknote (ten dollar bill). --v.tr. 1 put in the programme; announce. 2 (foll. by as) advertise. 3 send a note of charges to (billed him for the books). Ьbill of exchange Econ. a written order to pay a sum of money on a given date to the drawer or to a named payee. bill of fare 1 a menu. 2 a programme (for a theatrical event). bill of health 1 Naut. a certificate regarding infectious disease on a ship or in a port at the time of sailing. 2 (clean bill of health) a such a certificate stating that there is no disease. b a declaration that a person or thing examined has been found to be free of illness or in good condition. bill of indictment hist. or US a written accusation as presented to a grand jury. bill of lading Naut. 1 a shipmaster's detailed list of the ship's cargo. 2 US = WAYBILL. Bill of Rights 1 Law the English constitutional settlement of 1689. 2 Law (in the US) the constitutional amendments of 1791. 3 a statement of the rights of a class of people. bill of sale Econ. a certificate of transfer of personal property, esp. as a security against debt. ЬЬbillable adj. [ME f. AF bille, AL billa, prob. alt. of med.L bulla seal, sealed documents, BULL(2)] bill(2) n. & v. --n. 1 the beak of a bird, esp. when it is slender, flattened, or weak, or belongs to a web-footed bird or a bird of the pigeon family. 2 the muzzle of a platypus. 3 a narrow promontory. 4 the point of an anchor-fluke. --v.intr. (of doves etc.) stroke a bill with a bill. Ьbill and coo exchange caresses. ЬЬbilled adj. (usu. in comb.). [OE bile, of unkn. orig.] bill(3) n. 1 hist. a weapon like a halberd with a hook instead of a blade. 2 = BILLHOOK. [OE bil, ult. f. Gmc] billabong n. Austral. a branch of a river forming a backwater or a stagnant pool. [Aboriginal Billibang Bell River f. billa water] billboard n. esp. US a large outdoor board for advertisements etc. billet(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a a place where troops etc. are lodged, usu. with civilians. b a written order requiring a householder to lodge the bearer, usu. a soldier. 2 colloq. a situation; a job. --v.tr. (billeted, billeting) 1 (usu. foll. by on, in, at) quarter (soldiers etc.). 2 (of a householder) provide (a soldier etc.) with board and lodging. ЬЬbilletee n. billeter n. [ME f. AF billette, AL billetta, dimin. of billa BILL(1)] billet(2) n. 1 a thick piece of firewood. 2 a small metal bar. 3 Archit. each of a series of short rolls inserted at intervals in Norman decorative mouldings. [ME f. F billette small log, ult. prob. of Celtic orig.] billet-doux n. (pl. billets-doux) often joc. a love-letter. [F, = sweet note] billfold n. US a wallet for keeping banknotes. billhead n. a printed account form. billhook n. a sickle-shaped tool with a sharp inner edge, used for pruning, lopping, etc. billiards n. 1 a game played on an oblong cloth-covered table, with three balls struck with cues into pockets round the edge of the table. 2 (billiard) (in comb.) used in billiards (billiard-ball; billiard-table). [orig. pl., f. F billard billiards, cue, dimin. of bille log: see BILLET(2)] billion n. & adj. --n. (pl. same or (in sense 3) billions) (in sing. prec. by a or one) 1 a thousand million (1,000,000,000 or 10(9)). 2 (now less often, esp. Brit.) a million million (1,000,000,000,000 or 10(12)). 3 (in pl.) colloq. a very large number (billions of years). --adj. that amount to a billion. ЬЬbillionth adj. & n. [F (as BI-, MILLION)] billionaire n. a person possessing over a billion pounds, dollars, etc. [after MILLIONAIRE] billon n. an alloy of gold or silver with a predominating admixture of a base metal. [F f. bille BILLET(2)] billow n. & v. --n. 1 a wave. 2 a soft upward-curving flow. 3 any large soft mass. --v.intr. move or build up in billows. ЬЬbillowy adj. [ON bylgja f. Gmc] billposter n. (also billsticker) a person who pastes up advertisements on hoardings. ЬЬbillposting n. billy(1) n. (pl. -ies) (in full billycan) orig. Austral. a tin or enamel cooking-pot with a lid and wire handle, for use out of doors. [perh. f. Abor. billa water] billy(2) n. (pl. -ies) = BILLY-GOAT. billycan n. = BILLY(1). billy-goat n. a male goat. [Billy, pet-form of the name William] billy-oh n. Ьlike billy-oh sl. very much, hard, strongly, etc. (raining like billy-oh). [19th c.: orig. unkn.] bilobate adj. (also bilobed) having or consisting of two lobes. biltong n. S.Afr. boneless meat salted and dried in strips. [Afrik., of uncert. orig.] BIM abbr. British Institute of Management. bimanal adj. (also bimanous) having two hands. [BI- + L manus hand] bimbo n. (pl. -os or -oes) sl. usu. derog. 1 a person. 2 a woman, esp. a young empty-headed one. [It., = little child] bimetallic adj. 1 made of two metals. 2 of or relating to bimetallism. Ьbimetallic strip a sensitive element in some thermostats made of two bands of different metals that expand at different rates when heated, causing the strip to bend. [F bim‚tallique (as BI-, METALLIC)] bimetallism n. a system of allowing the unrestricted currency of two metals (e.g. gold and silver) at a fixed ratio to each other, as coined money. ЬЬbimetallist n. bimillenary adj. & n. --adj. of or relating to a two-thousandth anniversary. --n. (pl. -ies) a bimillenary year or festival. bimonthly adj., adv., & n. --adj. occurring twice a month or every two months. --adv. twice a month or every two months. --n. (pl. -ies) a periodical produced bimonthly. °Often avoided, because of the ambiguity of meaning, in favour of two-monthly and twice-monthly. bin n. & v. --n. a large receptacle for storage or for depositing rubbish. --v.tr. colloq. (binned, binning) store or put in a bin. Ьbin end one of the last bottles from a bin of wine, usu. sold at a reduced price. bin-liner a bag (usu. of plastic) for lining a rubbish bin. [OE bin(n), binne] bin- prefix var. of BI- before a vowel. binary adj. & n. --adj. 1 a dual. b of or involving pairs. 2 of the arithmetical system using 2 as a base. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 something having two parts. 2 a binary number. 3 a binary star. Ьbinary code Computing a coding system using the binary digits 0 and 1 to represent a letter, digit, or other character in a computer (see BCD). binary compound Chem. a compound having two elements or radicals. binary fission the division of a cell or organism into two parts. binary number (or digit) one of two digits (usu. 0 or 1) in a binary system of notation. binary star a system of two stars orbiting each other. binary system a system in which information can be expressed by combinations of the digits 0 and 1 (corresponding to 'off' and 'on' in computing). binary tree a data structure in which a record is branched to the left when greater and to the right when less than the previous record. [LL binarius f. bini two together] binate adj. Bot. 1 growing in pairs. 2 composed of two equal parts. [mod.L binatus f. L bini two together] binaural adj. 1 of or used with both ears. 2 (of sound) recorded using two microphones and usu. transmitted separately to the two ears. bind v. & n. --v. (past and past part. bound) (see also BOUNDEN). 1 tr. (often foll. by to, on, together) tie or fasten tightly. 2 tr. a restrain; put in bonds. b (as -bound adj.) constricted, obstructed (snowbound). 3 tr. esp. Cookery cause (ingredients) to cohere using another ingredient. 4 tr. fasten or hold together as a single mass. 5 tr. compel; impose an obligation or duty on. 6 tr. a edge (fabric etc.) with braid etc. b fix together and fasten (the pages of a book) in a cover. 7 tr. constipate. 8 tr. ratify (a bargain, agreement, etc.). 9 tr. (in passive) be required by an obligation or duty (am bound to answer). 10 tr. (often foll. by up) a put a bandage or other covering round. b fix together with something put round (bound her hair). 11 tr. indenture as an apprentice. 12 intr. (of snow etc.) cohere, stick. 13 intr. be prevented from moving freely. 14 intr. sl. complain. --n. 1 colloq. a nuisance; a restriction. 2 = BINE. Ьbe bound up with be closely associated with. bind over Law order (a person) to do something, esp. keep the peace. bind up bandage. I'll be bound a statement of assurance, or guaranteeing the truth of something. [OE bindan] binder n. 1 a cover for sheets of paper, for a book, etc. 2 a substance that acts cohesively. 3 a reaping-machine that binds grain into sheaves. 4 a bookbinder. bindery n. (pl. -ies) a workshop or factory for binding books. bindi-eye n. Austral. a small perennial Australian herb, Calotis cuneifolia, which has a burlike fruit. [20th c.: orig. unkn.] binding n. & adj. --n. something that binds, esp. the covers, glue, etc., of a book. --adj. (often foll. by on) obligatory. bindweed n. 1 convolvulus. 2 any of various species of climbing plants such as honeysuckle. bine n. 1 the twisting stem of a climbing plant, esp. the hop. 2 a flexible shoot. [orig. a dial. form of BIND] Binet-Simon test adj. (also Binet test) Psychol. a test used to measure intelligence, esp. of children. [A. Binet d. 1911 and T. Simon d. 1961, Fr. psychologists] binge n. & v. sl. --n. a spree; a period of uncontrolled eating, drinking, etc. --v.intr. go on a spree; indulge in uncontrolled eating, drinking, etc. [prob. orig. dial., = soak] bingo n. & int. --n. a game for any number of players, each having a card of squares with numbers, which are marked off as numbers are randomly drawn by a caller. --int. expressing sudden surprise, satisfaction, etc., as in winning at bingo. [prob. imit.: cf. dial. bing 'with a bang'] binman n. (pl. -men) colloq. a dustman. binnacle n. a built-in housing for a ship's compass. [earlier bittacle, ult. f. L habitaculum habitation f. habitare inhabit] binocular adj. adapted for or using both eyes. [BIN- + L oculus eye] binoculars n.pl. an optical instrument with a lens for each eye, for viewing distant objects. binomial n. & adj. --n. 1 an algebraic expression of the sum or the difference of two terms. 2 a two-part name, esp. in taxonomy. --adj. consisting of two terms. Ьbinomial classification a system of classification using two terms, the first one indicating the genus and the second the species. binomial distribution a frequency distribution of the possible number of successful outcomes in a given number of trials in each of which there is the same probability of success. binomial theorem a formula for finding any power of a binomial without multiplying at length. ЬЬbinomially adv. [F bin“me or mod.L binomium (as BI-, Gk nomos part, portion)] binominal adj. = BINOMIAL. [L binominis (as BI-, nomen -inis name)] bint n. sl. usu. offens. a girl or woman. [Arab., = daughter, girl] binturong n. a civet, Arctictis binturong, of S. Asia, with a shaggy black coat and a prehensile tail. [Malay] bio- comb. form 1 life (biography). 2 biological (biomathematics). 3 of living beings (biophysics). [Gk bios (course of) human life] biochemistry n. the study of the chemical and physico-chemical processes of living organisms. ЬЬbiochemical adj. biochemist n. biocoenosis n. (US biocenosis) (pl. -noses) 1 an association of different organisms forming a community. 2 the relationship existing between such organisms. ЬЬbiocoenology n. biocoenotic adj. [mod.L f. BIO- + Gk koinosis sharing f. koinos common] biodegradable adj. capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms. ЬЬbiodegradability n. biodegradation n. bioengineering n. 1 the application of engineering techniques to biological processes. 2 the use of artificial tissues, organs, or organ components to replace damaged or absent parts of the body, e.g. artificial limbs, heart pacemakers, etc. ЬЬbioengineer n. & v. bioethics n.pl. (treated as sing.) the ethics of medical and biological research. ЬЬbioethicist n. biofeedback n. the technique of using the feedback of a normally automatic bodily response to a stimulus, in order to acquire voluntary control of that response. bioflavonoid n. = CITRIN. [BIO- + flavonoid f. FLAVINE + -OID] biogenesis n. 1 the synthesis of substances by living organisms. 2 the hypothesis that a living organism arises only from another similar living organism. ЬЬbiogenetic adj. biogenic adj. produced by living organisms. biogeography n. the scientific study of the geographical distribution of plants and animals. ЬЬbiogeographical adj. biography n. (pl. -ies) 1 a a written account of a person's life, usu. by another. b such writing as a branch of literature. 2 the course of a living (usu. human) being's life. ЬЬbiographer n. biographic adj. biographical adj. [F biographie or mod.L biographia f. med.Gk] biological adj. of or relating to biology or living organisms. Ьbiological clock an innate mechanism controlling the rhythmic physiological activities of an organism. biological control the control of a pest by the introduction of a natural enemy. biological warfare warfare involving the use of toxins or micro-organisms. ЬЬbiologically adv. biology n. 1 the study of living organisms. 2 the plants and animals of a particular area. ЬЬbiologist n. [F biologie f. G Biologie (as BIO-, -LOGY)] bioluminescence n. the emission of light by living organisms such as the firefly and glow-worm. ЬЬbioluminescent adj. biomass n. the total quantity or weight of organisms in a given area or volume. [BIO- + MASS(1)] biomathematics n. the science of the application of mathematics to biology. biome n. 1 a large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna adapted to the particular conditions in which they occur, e.g. tundra. 2 the geographical region containing such a community. [BIO- + -OME] biomechanics n. the study of the mechanical laws relating to the movement or structure of living organisms. biometry n. (also biometrics) the application of statistical analysis to biological data. ЬЬbiometric adj. biometrical adj. biometrician n. biomorph n. a decorative form based on a living organism. ЬЬbiomorphic adj. [BIO- + Gk morphe form] bionic adj. 1 having artificial body parts or the superhuman powers resulting from these. 2 relating to bionics. ЬЬbionically adv. [BIO- after ELECTRONIC] bionics n.pl. (treated as sing.) the study of mechanical systems that function like living organisms or parts of living organisms. bionomics n.pl. (treated as sing.) the study of the mode of life of organisms in their natural habitat and their adaptations to their surroundings. ЬЬbionomic adj. [BIO- after ECONOMICS] biophysics n.pl. (treated as sing.) the science of the application of the laws of physics to biological phenomena. ЬЬbiophysical adj. biophysicist n. biopsy n. (pl. -ies) the examination of tissue removed from a living body to discover the presence, cause, or extent of a disease. [F biopsie f. Gk bios life + opsis sight, after necropsy] biorhythm n. 1 any of the recurring cycles of biological processes thought to affect a person's emotional, intellectual, and physical activity. 2 any periodic change in the behaviour or physiology of an organism. ЬЬbiorhythmic adj. biorhythmically adv. bioscope n. S.Afr. sl. a cinema. biosphere n. the regions of the earth's crust and atmosphere occupied by living organisms. [G Biosph„re (as BIO-, SPHERE)] biosynthesis n. the production of organic molecules by living organisms. ЬЬbiosynthetic adj. biota n. the animal and plant life of a region. [mod.L: cf. Gk biote life] biotechnology n. the exploitation of biological processes for industrial and other purposes, esp. genetic manipulation of micro-organisms (for the production of antibiotics, hormones, etc.). biotic adj. 1 relating to life or to living things. 2 of biological origin. [F biotique or LL bioticus f. Gk biotikos f. bios life] biotin n. a vitamin of the B complex, found in egg yolk, liver, and yeast, and involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. [G f. Gk bios life + -IN] biotite n. Mineral. a black, dark brown, or green micaceous mineral occurring as a constituent of metamorphic and igneous rocks. [J. B. Biot, Fr. physicist d. 1862] bipartisan adj. of or involving two (esp. political) parties. ЬЬbipartisanship n. bipartite adj. 1 consisting of two parts. 2 shared by or involving two parties. 3 Law (of a contract, treaty, etc.) drawn up in two corresponding parts or between two parties. [L bipartitus f. bipartire (as BI-, partire PART)] biped n. & adj. --n. a two-footed animal. --adj. two-footed. ЬЬbipedal adj. [L bipes -edis (as BI-, pes pedis foot)] bipinnate adj. (of a pinnate leaf) having leaflets that are further subdivided in a pinnate arrangement. biplane n. an early type of aeroplane having two sets of wings, one above the other. bipolar adj. having two poles or extremities. ЬЬbipolarity n. birch n. & v. --n. 1 any tree of the genus Betula, having thin peeling bark, bearing catkins, and found predominantly in northern temperate regions. 2 (in full birchwood) the hard fine-grained pale wood of these trees. 3 NZ any of various similar trees. 4 (in full birch-rod) a bundle of birch twigs used for flogging. --v.tr. beat with a birch (in sense 4). Ьbirch-bark 1 the bark of Betula papyrifera used to make canoes. 2 US such a canoe. ЬЬbirchen adj. [OE bi(e)rce f. Gmc] bird n. 1 a feathered vertebrate with a beak, with two wings and two feet, egg-laying and usu. able to fly. 2 a game-bird. 3 Brit. sl. a young woman. 4 colloq. a person (a wily old bird). 5 sl. a a prison. b rhymingsl. a prison sentence (short for birdlime = time). Ьbird-bath a basin in a garden etc. with water for birds to bathe in. bird-call 1 a bird's natural call. 2 an instrument imitating this. bird cherry a wild cherry Prunus padus. bird-fancier a person who knows about, collects, breeds, or deals in, birds. a bird in the hand something secured or certain. the bird is (or has) flown the prisoner, quarry, etc., has escaped. bird- (or birds'-) nesting hunting for birds' nests, usu. to get eggs. bird of paradise any bird of the family Paradiseidae found chiefly in New Guinea, the males having very beautiful brilliantly coloured plumage. bird of passage 1 a migrant. 2 any transient visitor. bird of prey see PREY. bird sanctuary an area where birds are protected and encouraged to breed. the birds and the bees euphem. sexual activity and reproduction. bird's-eye --n. 1 any of several plants having small bright round flowers, such as the germander speedwell. 2 a pattern with many small spots. --adj. of or having small bright round flowers (bird's-eye primrose). bird's-eye view a general view from above. bird's-foot (pl. bird's-foots) any plant like the foot of a bird, esp. of the genus Lotus, having claw-shaped pods. bird's nest soup soup made (esp. in Chinese cookery) from the dried gelatinous coating of the nests of swifts and other birds. birds of a feather people of like character. bird-strike a collision between a bird and an aircraft. bird table a raised platform on which food for birds is placed. bird-watcher a person who observes birds in their natural surroundings. bird-watching this occupation. for (or strictly for) the birds colloq. trivial, uninteresting. get the bird sl. 1 be dismissed. 2 be hissed at or booed. like a bird without difficulty or hesitation. a little bird an unnamed informant. [OE brid, of unkn. orig.] birdbrain n. colloq. a stupid or flighty person. ЬЬbirdbrained adj. birdcage n. 1 a cage for birds usu. made of wire or cane. 2 an object of a similar design. birder n. US a bird-watcher. ЬЬbirding n. birdie n. & v. --n. 1 colloq. a little bird. 2 Golf a score of one stroke less than par at any hole. --v.tr. (birdies, birdied, birdying) Golf play (a hole) in a birdie. birdlime n. sticky material painted on to twigs to trap small birds. birdseed n. a blend of seed for feeding birds, esp. ones which are caged. birdsong n. the musical cry of a bird or birds. birefringent adj. Physics having two different refractive indices. ЬЬbirefringence n. bireme n. hist. an ancient Greek warship, with two files of oarsmen on each side. [L biremis (as BI-, remus oar)] biretta n. a square usu. black cap with three flat projections on top, worn by (esp. Roman Catholic) clergymen. [It. berretta or Sp. birreta f. LL birrus cape] biriani n. (also biryani) an orig. Indian dish made with highly seasoned rice, and meat or fish etc. [Urdu] Biro n. (pl. -os) Brit. propr. a kind of ball-point pen. [L. Birў, Hung. inventor d. 1985] birth n. & v. --n. 1 the emergence of a (usu. fully developed) infant or other young from the body of its mother. 2 rhet. the beginning or coming into existence of something (the birth of civilization; the birth of socialism). 3 a origin, descent, ancestry (of noble birth). b high or noble birth; inherited position. --v.tr. US colloq. 1 to give birth to. 2 to assist (a woman) to give birth. Ьbirth certificate an official document identifying a person by name, place, date of birth, and parentage. birth control the control of the number of children one conceives, esp. by contraception. birth pill the contraceptive pill. birth rate the number of live births per thousand of population per year. give birth bear a child etc. give birth to 1 produce (young) from the womb. 2 cause to begin, found. [ME f. ON byrth f. Gmc: see BEAR(1), -TH(2)] birthday n. 1 the day on which a person etc. was born. 2 the anniversary of this. Ьbirthday honours Brit. titles etc. given on a sovereign's official birthday. in one's birthday suit joc. naked. birthmark n. an unusual brown or red mark on one's body at or from birth. birthplace n. the place where a person was born. birthright n. a right of possession or privilege one has from birth, esp. as the eldest son. birthstone n. a gemstone popularly associated with the month of one's birth. biryani var. of BIRIANI. biscuit n. & adj. --n. 1 Brit. a small unleavened cake, usu. flat and crisp and often sweet. 2 fired unglazed pottery. 3 a light brown colour. --adj. biscuit-coloured. [ME f. OF bescoit etc. ult. f. L bis twice + coctus past part. of coquere cook] bise n. a keen dry northerly wind in Switzerland, S. France, etc. [ME f. OF] bisect v.tr. divide into two (strictly, equal) parts. ЬЬbisection n. bisector n. [BI- + L secare sect- cut] bisexual adj. & n. --adj. 1 sexually attracted by persons of both sexes. 2 Biol. having characteristics of both sexes. 3 of or concerning both sexes. --n. a bisexual person. ЬЬbisexuality n. bish n. sl. a mistake. [20th c.: orig. uncert.] bishop n. 1 a senior member of the Christian clergy usu. in charge of a diocese, and empowered to confer holy orders. 2 a chess piece with the top sometimes shaped like a mitre. 3 mulled and spiced wine. [OE biscop, ult. f. Gk episkopos overseer (as EPI-, -skopos -looking)] bishopric n. 1 the office of a bishop. 2 a diocese. [OE bisceoprice (as BISHOP, rice realm)] bismuth n. Chem. 1 a brittle reddish-white metallic element, occurring naturally and used in alloys. °Symb.: Bi. 2 any compound of this element used medicinally. [mod.L bisemutum, Latinization of G Wismut, of unkn. orig.] bison n. (pl. same) either of two wild hump-backed shaggy-haired oxen of the genus Bison, native to N. America (B. bison) or Europe (B. bonasus). [ME f. L f. Gmc] bisque(1) n. a rich shellfish soup, made esp. from lobster. [F] bisque(2) n. Tennis, Croquet, & Golf an advantage of scoring one free point, or taking an extra turn or stroke. [F] bisque(3) n. = BISCUIT 2. bistable adj. (of an electrical circuit etc.) having two stable states. bister var. of BISTRE. bistort n. a herb, Polygonum bistorta, with a twisted root and a cylindrical spike of flesh-coloured flowers. [F bistorte or med.L bistorta f. bis twice + torta fem. past part. of torquere twist] bistoury n. (pl. -ies) a surgical scalpel. [F bistouri, bistorie, orig. = dagger, of unkn. orig.] bistre n. & adj. (US bister) --n. 1 a brownish pigment made from the soot of burnt wood. 2 the brownish colour of this. --adj. of this colour. [F, of unkn. orig.] bistro n. (pl. -os) a small restaurant. [F] bisulphate n. (US bisulfate) Chem. a salt or ester of sulphuric acid. bit(1) n. 1 a small piece or quantity (a bit of cheese; give me another bit; that bit is too small). 2 (prec. by a) a a fair amount (sold quite a bit; needed a bit of persuading). b colloq. somewhat (am a bit tired). c (foll. by of) colloq. rather (a bit of an idiot). d (foll. by of) colloq. only a little; a mere (a bit of a boy). 3 a short time or distance (wait a bit; move up a bit). 4 US sl. a unit of 12« cents (used only in even multiples). Ьbit by bit gradually. bit of all right sl. a pleasing person or thing, esp. a woman. bit of fluff (or skirt or stuff) see FLUFF, SKIRT, STUFF. bit on the side sl. an extramarital sexual relationship. bit part a minor part in a play or a film. bits and pieces (or bobs) an assortment of small items. do one's bit colloq. make a useful contribution to an effort or cause. every bit as see EVERY. not a bit (or not a bit of it) not at all. to bits into pieces. [OE bita f. Gmc, rel. to BITE] bit(2) past of BITE. bit(3) n. & v. --n. 1 a metal mouthpiece on a bridle, used to control a horse. 2 a (usu. metal) tool or piece for boring or drilling. 3 the cutting or gripping part of a plane, pincers, etc. 4 the part of a key that engages with the lock-lever. 5 the copper head of a soldering-iron. --v.tr. 1 put a bit into the mouth of (a horse). 2 restrain. Ьtake the bit between one's teeth 1 take decisive personal action. 2 escape from control. [OE bite f. Gmc, rel. to BITE] bit(4) n. Computing a unit of information expressed as a choice between two possibilities; a 0 or 1 in binary notation. [BINARY + DIGIT] bitch n. & v. --n. 1 a female dog or other canine animal. 2 sl. offens. a malicious or spiteful woman. 3 sl. a very unpleasant or difficult thing or situation. --v. 1 intr. (often foll. by about) a speak scathingly. b complain. 2 tr. be spiteful or unfair to. [OE bicce] bitchy adj. (bitchier, bitchiest) sl. spiteful; bad-tempered. ЬЬbitchily adv. bitchiness n. bite v. & n. --v. (past bit; past part. bitten) 1 tr. cut or puncture using the teeth. 2 tr. (foll. by off, away, etc.) detach with the teeth. 3 tr. (of an insect, snake, etc.) wound with a sting, fangs, etc. 4 intr. (of a wheel, screw, etc.) grip, penetrate. 5 intr. accept bait or an inducement. 6 intr. have a (desired) adverse effect. 7 tr. (in passive) a take in; swindle. b (foll. by by, with, etc.) be infected by (enthusiasm etc.). 8 tr. (as bitten adj.) cause a glowing or smarting pain to (frostbitten). 9 intr. (foll. by at) snap at. --n. 1 an act of biting. 2 a wound or sore made by biting. 3 a a mouthful of food. b a snack or light meal. 4 the taking of bait by a fish. 5 pungency (esp. of flavour). 6 incisiveness, sharpness. 7 = OCCLUSION 3. Ьbite back restrain (one's speech etc.) by or as if by biting the lips. bite (or bite on) the bullet sl. behave bravely or stoically. bite the dust sl. 1 die. 2 fail; break down. bite the hand that feeds one hurt or offend a benefactor. bite a person's head off colloq. respond fiercely or angrily. bite one's lip see LIP. bite off more than one can chew take on a commitment one cannot fulfil. once bitten twice shy an unpleasant experience induces caution. put the bite on US sl. borrow or extort money from. what's biting you? sl. what is worrying you? ЬЬbiter n. [OE bitan f. Gmc] biting adj. 1 stinging; intensely cold (a biting wind). 2 sharp; effective (biting wit; biting sarcasm). ЬЬbitingly adv. bitten past part. of BITE. bitter adj. & n. --adj. 1 having a sharp pungent taste; not sweet. 2 a caused by or showing mental pain or resentment (bitter memories; bitter rejoinder). b painful or difficult to accept (bitter disappointment). 3 a harsh; virulent (bitter animosity). b piercingly cold. --n. 1 Brit. beer strongly flavoured with hops and having a bitter taste. 2 (in pl.) liquor with a bitter flavour (esp. of wormwood) used as an additive in cocktails. Ьbitter-apple = COLOCYNTH. bitter orange = SEVILLE ORANGE. bitter pill something unpleasant that has to be accepted. bitter-sweet adj. 1 sweet with a bitter after-taste. 2 arousing pleasure tinged with pain or sorrow. --n. 1 a sweetness with a bitter after-taste. b pleasure tinged with pain or sorrow. 2 = woody nightshade (see NIGHTSHADE). to the bitter end to the very end in spite of difficulties. ЬЬbitterly adv. bitterness n. [OE biter prob. f. Gmc: to the bitter end may be assoc. with a Naut. word bitter = 'last part of a cable': see BITTS] bitterling n. a small brightly coloured freshwater fish, Rhodeus amarus, from Central Europe. [BITTER + -LING(1)] bittern n. 1 any of a group of wading birds of the heron family, esp. of the genus Botaurus with a distinctive booming call. 2 Chem. the liquid remaining after the crystallization of common salt from sea water. [ME f. OF butor ult. f. L butio bittern + taurus bull; - n perh. f. assoc. with HERON] bitts n.pl. Naut. a pair of posts on the deck of a ship, for fastening cables etc. [ME prob. f. LG: cf. LG & Du. beting] bitty adj. (bittier, bittiest) made up of unrelated bits; scrappy. ЬЬbittily adv. bittiness n. bitumen n. 1 any of various tarlike mixtures of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum naturally or by distillation and used for road surfacing and roofing. 2 Austral. colloq. a tarred road. [L bitumen -minis] bituminize v.tr. (also -ise) convert into, impregnate with, or cover with bitumen. ЬЬbituminization n. bituminous adj. of, relating to, or containing bitumen. Ьbituminous coal a form of coal burning with a smoky flame. bivalent adj. & n. --adj. 1 Chem. having a valency of two. 2 Biol. (of homologous chromosomes) associated in pairs. --n. Biol. any pair of homologous chromosomes. ЬЬbivalency n. [BI- + valent- pres. part. stem formed as VALENCE(1)] bivalve n. & adj. --n. any of a group of aquatic molluscs of the class Bivalvia, with laterally compressed bodies enclosed within two hinged shells, e.g. oysters, mussels, etc. --adj. 1 with a hinged double shell. 2 Biol. having two valves, e.g. of a pea-pod. bivouac n. & v. --n. a temporary open encampment without tents, esp. of soldiers. --v.intr. (bivouacked, bivouacking) camp in a bivouac, esp. overnight. [F, prob. f. Swiss G Beiwacht additional guard at night] biweekly adv., adj., & n. --adv. 1 every two weeks. 2 twice a week. --adj. produced or occurring biweekly. --n. (pl. -ies) a biweekly periodical. °See the note at bimonthly. biyearly adv. & adj. --adv. 1 every two years. 2 twice a year. --adj. produced or occurring biyearly. °See the note at bimonthly. biz n. colloq. business. [abbr.] bizarre adj. strange in appearance or effect; eccentric; grotesque. ЬЬbizarrely adv. bizarreness n. [F, = handsome, brave, f. Sp. & Port. bizarro f. Basque bizarra beard] bizarrerie n. a bizarre quality; bizarreness. [F] 10.0 Bk... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Bk symb. Chem. the element berkelium. bk. abbr. book. 11.0 BL... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- BL abbr. 1 Sc. & Ir. Bachelor of Law. 2 British Library. 3 hist. British Leyland. 4 bill of lading. bl. abbr. 1 barrel. 2 black. blab v. & n. --v. (blabbed, blabbing) 1 intr. a talk foolishly or indiscreetly. b reveal secrets. 2 tr. reveal (a secret etc.) by indiscreet talk. --n. a person who blabs. [ME prob. f. Gmc] blabber n. & v. --n. (also blabbermouth) a person who blabs. --v.intr. (often foll. by on) talk foolishly or inconsequentially, esp. at length. black adj., n., & v. --adj. 1 very dark, having no colour from the absorption of all or nearly all incident light (like coal or soot). 2 completely dark from the absence of a source of light (black night). 3 (Black) a of the human group having dark-coloured skin, esp. of African or Aboriginal descent. b of or relating to Black people (Black rights). 4 (of the sky, a cloud, etc.) dusky; heavily overcast. 5 angry, threatening (a black look). 6 implying disgrace or condemnation (in his black books). 7 wicked, sinister, deadly (black-hearted). 8 gloomy, depressed, sullen (a black mood). 9 portending trouble or difficulty (things looked black). 10 (of hands, clothes, etc.) dirty, soiled. 11 (of humour or its representation) with sinister or macabre, as well as comic, import (black comedy). 12 (of tea or coffee) without milk. 13 Brit. a (of industrial labour or its products) boycotted, esp. by a trade union, in an industrial dispute. b (of a person) doing work or handling goods that have been boycotted. 14 dark in colour as distinguished from a lighter variety (black bear; black pine). --n. 1 a black colour or pigment. 2 black clothes or material (dressed in black). 3 a (in a game or sport) a black piece, ball, etc. b the player using such pieces. 4 the credit side of an account (in the black). 5 (Black) a member of a dark-skinned race, esp. a Negro or Aboriginal. --v.tr. 1 make black (blacked his face). 2 polish with blacking. 3 Brit. declare (goods etc.) 'black'. ЬBlack Africa the area of Africa, generally south of the Sahara, where Blacks predominate. black and blue discoloured by bruises. Black and Tans an armed force recruited to fight Sinn Fein in Ireland in 1921, wearing a mixture of military and constabulary uniforms. black and white 1 recorded in writing or print (down in black and white). 2 (of film etc.) not in colour. 3 consisting of extremes only, oversimplified (interpreted the problem in black and white terms). the black art = black magic. black beetle the common cockroach, Blatta orientalis. black belt 1 a black belt worn by an expert in judo, karate, etc. 2 a person qualified to wear this. black body Physics a hypothetical perfect absorber and radiator of energy, with no reflecting power. black box 1 a flight-recorder in an aircraft. 2 any complex piece of equipment, usu. a unit in an electronic system, with contents which are mysterious to the user. black bread a coarse dark-coloured type of rye bread. black bryony a rooted climber, Tamus communis, with clusters of red berries. Black Country (usu. prec. by the) a district of the Midlands with heavy industry. black damp = choke-damp. Black Death (usu. prec. by the) a widespread epidemic of bubonic plague in Europe in the 14th c. black diamond (in pl.) coal. black disc a long-playing gramophone record, as distinct from a compact disc. black earth = CHERNOZEM. black economy unofficial economic activity. Black English the form of English spoken by many Blacks, esp. as an urban dialect of the US. black eye bruised skin around the eye resulting from a blow. black-eyed (or black-eye) bean a variety of bean, Vigna sinensis, with seeds often dried and stored prior to eating (so called from its black hilum). black-eyed Susan any of several flowers, esp. of the genus Rudbeckia, with yellow-coloured petals and a dark centre. black-face 1 a variety of sheep with a black face. 2 the make-up used by a non-Black performer playing a Negro role. black flag see FLAG(1). black forest gateau a chocolate sponge with layers of morello cherries or cherry jam and whipped cream and topped with chocolate icing, orig. from S. Germany. Black Friar a Dominican friar. black frost see FROST. black game (or grouse) a European grouse, Lyrurus tetrix. black hole 1 a region of space possessing a strong gravitational field from which matter and radiation cannot escape: also called COLLAPSAR. 2 a place of confinement for punishment, esp. in the armed services. black ice thin hard transparent ice, esp. on a road surface. black in the face livid with strangulation, exertion, or passion. black lead graphite. black leopard = PANTHER. black letter an old heavy style of type. black light Physics the invisible ultraviolet or infrared radiations of the electromagnetic spectrum. black magic magic involving supposed invocation of evil spirits. Black Maria sl. a police vehicle for transporting prisoners. black mark a mark of discredit. black market an illicit traffic in officially controlled or scarce commodities. black marketeer a person who engages in a black market. Black Mass a travesty of the Roman Catholic Mass in worship of Satan. Black Monk a Benedictine monk. Black Muslim US a member of an exclusively Black Islamic sect proposing a separate Black community. Black Nationalism advocacy of the national civil rights of US (and occas. other) Blacks. black nightshade see NIGHTSHADE. black out 1 a effect a blackout on. b undergo a blackout. 2 obscure windows etc. or extinguish all lights for protection esp. against an air attack. Black Panther US one of a group of extremist fighters for Blacks' rights. black pepper pepper made by grinding the whole dried berry, including the husk, of the pepper plant. Black Power a movement in support of rights and political power for Blacks. black pudding a black sausage containing pork, dried pig's blood, suet, etc. Black Rod Brit. the principal usher of the Lord Chamberlain's department, House of Lords, etc. black sheep colloq. an unsatisfactory member of a family, group, etc.; a scoundrel. black spot a place of danger or difficulty, esp. on a road (an accident black spot). black swan 1 something extremely rare. 2 an Australian swan, Cygnus atratus, with black plumage. black tea tea that is fully fermented before drying. black tie 1 a black bow-tie worn with a dinner jacket. 2 colloq. formal evening dress. black tracker Austral. an Aboriginal employed to help find persons lost or hiding in the bush. black velvet a drink of stout and champagne. Black Watch (usu. prec. by the) the Royal Highland Regiment (so called from its dark tartan uniform). black-water fever a complication of malaria, in which blood cells are rapidly destroyed, resulting in dark urine. black widow a venomous spider, Latrodectus mactans, of which the female devours the male. ЬЬblackish adj. blackly adv. blackness n. [OE bl‘c] blackamoor n. archaic a dark-skinned person, esp. a Negro. [BLACK + MOOR(2)] blackball v.tr. reject (a candidate) in a ballot (orig. by voting with a black ball). blackberry n. & v. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 a climbing thorny rosaceous shrub, Rubus fruticosus, bearing white or pink flowers. Also called BRAMBLE. 2 a black fleshy edible fruit of this plant. --v.intr. (-ies, -ied) gather blackberries. blackbird n. 1 a common thrush, Turdus merula, of which the male is black with an orange beak. 2 US any of various birds, esp. a grackle, with black plumage. 3 hist. a kidnapped Negro or Polynesian on a slave-ship. blackboard n. a board with a smooth usu. dark surface for writing on with chalk. blackboy n. any tree of the genus Xanthorrhea, native to Australia, with a thick dark trunk and a head of grasslike leaves. Also called grass tree. blackbuck n. a small Indian gazelle, Antilope cervicapra, with a black back and white underbelly. Also called SASIN. blackcap n. a small warbler, Sylvia atricapilla, the male of which has a black-topped head. blackcock n. the male of the black grouse (cf. grey-hen). blackcurrant n. 1 a widely cultivated shrub, Ribes nigrum, bearing flowers in racemes. 2 the small dark edible berry of this plant. blacken v. 1 tr. & intr. make or become black or dark. 2 tr. speak evil of, defame (blacken someone's character). blackfellow n. hist. an Australian Aboriginal. blackfish n. 1 any of several species of dark-coloured fish. 2 a salmon at spawning. blackfly n. (pl. -flies) any of various thrips or aphids, esp. Aphis fabae, infesting plants. blackguard n. & v. --n. a villain; a scoundrel; an unscrupulous, unprincipled person. --v.tr. abuse scurrilously. ЬЬblackguardly adj. [BLACK + GUARD: orig. applied collectively to menials etc.] blackhead n. a black-topped pimple on the skin. blacking n. any black paste or polish, esp. for shoes. blackjack(1) n. 1 the card-game pontoon. 2 US a flexible leaded bludgeon. [BLACK + JACK(1)] blackjack(2) n. a pirates' black flag. [BLACK + JACK(1)] blackjack(3) n. a tarred-leather vessel for alcoholic liquor. [BLACK + JACK(2)] blacklead n. & v. --n. graphite. --v.tr. polish with graphite. blackleg n. & v. --n. (often attrib.) Brit. derog. a person who fails or declines to take part in industrial action. --v.intr. (-legged, -legging) act as a blackleg. blacklist n. & v. --n. a list of persons under suspicion, in disfavour, etc. --v.tr. put the name of (a person) on a blacklist. blackmail n. & v. --n. 1 a an extortion of payment in return for not disclosing discreditable information, a secret, etc. b any payment extorted in this way. 2 the use of threats or moral pressure. --v.tr. 1 extort or try to extort money etc. from (a person) by blackmail. 2 threaten, coerce. ЬЬblackmailer n. [BLACK + obs. mail rent, OE mal f. ON m l agreement] blackout n. 1 a temporary or complete loss of vision, consciousness, or memory. 2 a loss of power, radio reception, etc. 3 a compulsory period of darkness as a precaution against air raids. 4 a temporary suppression of the release of information, esp. from police or government sources. 5 a sudden darkening of a theatre stage. blackshirt n. a member of a Fascist organization. [f. the colour of the It. Fascist uniform] blacksmith n. a smith who works in iron. blackthorn n. 1 a thorny rosaceous shrub, Prunus spinosa, bearing white-petalled flowers before small blue-black fruits. Also called SLOE. 2 a cudgel or walking-stick made from its wood. Ьblackthorn winter the time when the plant flowers, usu. marked by cold NE winds. blacktop n. US a type of road-surfacing material. bladder n. 1 a any of various membranous sacs in some animals, containing urine (urinary bladder), bile (gall-bladder), or air (swim-bladder). b this or part of it or a similar object prepared for various uses. 2 an inflated pericarp or vesicle in various plants. 3 anything inflated and hollow. [OE bl‘dre f. Gmc] bladderwort n. any insect-consuming aquatic plant of the genus Utricularia, with leaves having small bladders for trapping insects. bladderwrack n. a common brown seaweed, Fucus vesiculosus, with fronds containing air-bladders which give buoyancy to the plant. blade n. 1 a the flat part of a knife, chisel, etc., that forms the cutting edge. b = razor-blade. 2 the flattened functional part of an oar, spade, propeller, bat, skate, etc. 3 a the flat, narrow, usu. pointed leaf of grass and cereals. b the whole of such plants before the ear is formed (in the blade). c Bot. the broad thin part of a leaf apart from the petiole. 4 (in full blade-bone) a flat bone, e.g. in the shoulder. 5 Archaeol. a long narrow flake (see FLAKE(1) 3). 6 poet. a sword. 7 colloq. (usu. archaic) a carefree young fellow. ЬЬbladed adj. (also in comb.). [OE bl‘d f. Gmc] blaeberry n. (pl. -ies) Brit. = BILBERRY. [ME f. blae (Sc. and N.Engl. dial. f. ME blo f. ON bl r f. Gmc: see BLUE(1)) + BERRY] blag n. & v. sl. --n. robbery, esp. with violence; theft. --v.tr. & intr. (blagged, blagging) rob (esp. with violence); steal. ЬЬblagger n. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] blague n. humbug, claptrap. [F] blagueur n. a pretentious talker. [F] blah n. (also blah-blah) colloq. pretentious nonsense. [imit.] blain n. an inflamed swelling or sore on the skin. [OE blegen f. WG] blakey n. (also Blakey) (pl. -eys) a metal cap on the heel or toe of a shoe or boot. [Blakey, name of the manufacturer] blame v. & n. --v.tr. 1 assign fault or responsibility to. 2 (foll. by on) assign the responsibility for (an error or wrong) to a person etc. (blamed his death on a poor diet). --n. 1 responsibility for a bad result; culpability (shared the blame equally; put the blame on the bad weather). 2 the act of blaming or attributing responsibility; censure (she got all the blame). Ьbe to blame (often foll. by for) be responsible; deserve censure (she is not to blame for the accident). have only oneself to blame be solely responsible (for something one suffers). I don't blame you etc. I think your etc. action was justifiable. ЬЬblameable adj. [ME f. OF bla(s)mer (v.), blame (n.) f. pop.L blastemare f. eccl.L blasphemare reproach f. Gk blasphemeo blaspheme] blameful adj. deserving blame; guilty. ЬЬblamefully adv. blameless adj. innocent; free from blame. ЬЬblamelessly adv. blamelessness n. blameworthy adj. deserving blame. ЬЬblameworthiness n. blanch v. 1 tr. make white or pale by extracting colour. 2 intr. & tr. grow or make pale from shock, fear, etc. 3 tr. Cookery a peel (almonds etc.) by scalding. b immerse (vegetables or meat) briefly in boiling water. 4 tr. whiten (a plant) by depriving it of light. Ьblanch over give a deceptively good impression of (a fault etc.) by misrepresentation. [ME f. OF blanchir f. blanc white, BLANK] blancmange n. a sweet opaque gelatinous dessert made with flavoured cornflour and milk. [ME f. OF blancmanger f. blanc white, BLANK + manger eat f. L manducare MANDUCATE] blanco n. & v. Mil. --n. 1 a white substance for whitening belts etc. 2 a similar coloured substance. --v.tr. (-oes, -oed) treat with blanco. [F blanc white, BLANK] bland adj. 1 a mild, not irritating. b tasteless, unstimulating, insipid. 2 gentle in manner; suave. ЬЬblandly adv. blandness n. [L blandus soft, smooth] blandish v.tr. flatter; coax, cajole. [ME f. OF blandir (-ISH(2)) f. L blandiri f. blandus soft, smooth] blandishment n. (usu. in pl.) flattery; cajolery. blank adj., n., & v. --adj. 1 a (of paper) not written or printed on. b (of a document) with spaces left for a signature or details. 2 a not filled; empty (a blank space). b unrelieved; sheer (a blank wall). 3 a having or showing no interest or expression (a blank face). b void of incident or result. c puzzled, nonplussed. d having (temporarily) no knowledge or understanding (my mind went blank). 4 (with neg. import) complete, downright (a blank refusal; blank despair). 5 euphem. used in place of an adjective regarded as coarse or abusive. --n. 1 a a space left to be filled in a document. b a document having blank spaces to be filled. 2 (in full blank cartridge) a cartridge containing gunpowder but no bullet, used for training, etc. 3 an empty space or period of time. 4 a a coin-disc before stamping. b a metal or wooden block before final shaping. 5 a a dash written instead of a word or letter, esp. instead of an obscenity. b euphem. used in place of a noun regarded as coarse. 6 a domino with one or both halves blank. 7 a lottery ticket that gains no prize. 8 the white centre of the target in archery etc. --v.tr. 1 (usu. foll. by off, out) screen, obscure (clouds blanked out the sun). 2 (usu. foll. by out) cut (a metal blank). 3 US defeat without allowing to score. Ьblank cheque 1 a cheque with the amount left for the payee to fill in. 2 colloq. unlimited freedom of action (cf. CARTE BLANCHE). blank test Chem. a scientific test done without a specimen, to verify the absence of the effects of reagents etc. blank verse unrhymed verse, esp. iambic pentameters. draw a blank elicit no response; fail. ЬЬblankly adv. blankness n. [ME f. OF blanc white, ult. f. Gmc] blanket n., adj., & v. --n. 1 a large piece of woollen or other material used esp. as a bed-covering or to wrap up a person or an animal for warmth. 2 (usu. foll. by of) a thick mass or layer that covers something (blanket of fog; blanket of silence). 3 Printing a rubber surface transferring an impression from a plate to paper etc. in offset printing. --adj. covering all cases or classes; inclusive (blanket condemnation; blanket agreement). --v.tr. (blanketed, blanketing) 1 cover with or as if with a blanket (snow blanketed the land). 2 stifle; keep quiet (blanketed all discussion). 3 Naut. take wind from the sails of (another craft) by passing to windward. Ьblanket bath a body wash given to a bedridden patient. blanket stitch a stitch used to neaten the edges of a blanket or other material. born on the wrong side of the blanket illegitimate. electric blanket an electrically-wired blanket used for heating a bed. wet blanket colloq. a gloomy person preventing the enjoyment of others. [ME f. OF blancquet, blanchet f. blanc white, BLANK] blankety adj. & n. (also blanky) Brit. colloq. = BLANK adj. 5. blanky var. of BLANKETY. blanquette n. Cookery a dish consisting of white meat, e.g. veal, in a white sauce. [F (as BLANKET)] blare v. & n. --v. 1 tr. & intr. sound or utter loudly. 2 intr. make the sound of a trumpet. --n. a loud sound resembling that of a trumpet. [ME f. MDu. blaren, bleren, imit.] blarney n. & v. --n. 1 cajoling talk; flattery. 2 nonsense. --v. (-eys, -eyed) 1 tr. flatter (a person) with blarney. 2 intr. talk flatteringly. [Blarney, an Irish castle near Cork with a stone said to confer a cajoling tongue on whoever kisses it] blas‚ adj. 1 unimpressed or indifferent because of over-familiarity. 2 tired of pleasure; surfeited. [F] blaspheme v. 1 intr. talk profanely, making use of religious names, etc. 2 tr. talk profanely about; revile. ЬЬblasphemer n. [ME f. OF blasfemer f. eccl.L blasphemare f. Gk blasphemeo: cf. BLAME] blasphemy n. (pl. -ies) 1 profane talk. 2 an instance of this. ЬЬblasphemous adj. blasphemously adv. [ME f. OF blasfemie f. eccl.L f. Gk blasphemia slander, blasphemy] blast n., v., & int. --n. 1 a strong gust of wind. 2 a a destructive wave of highly compressed air spreading outwards from an explosion. b such an explosion. 3 the single loud note of a wind instrument, car horn, whistle, etc. 4 colloq. a severe reprimand. 5 a strong current of air used in smelting etc. --v. 1 tr. blow up (rocks etc.) with explosives. 2 tr. a wither, shrivel, or blight (a plant, animal, limb, etc.) (blasted oak). b destroy, ruin (blasted her hopes). c strike with divine anger; curse. 3 intr. & tr. make or cause to make a loud or explosive noise (blasted away on his trumpet). 4 tr. colloq. reprimand severely. 5 colloq. a tr. shoot; shoot at. b intr. shoot. --int. expressing annoyance. Ьat full blast colloq. working at maximum speed etc. blast-furnace a smelting furnace into which compressed hot air is driven. blast-hole a hole containing an explosive charge for blasting. blast off (of a rocket etc.) take off from a launching site. blast-off n. 1 the launching of a rocket etc. 2 the initial thrust for this. [OE bl‘st f. Gmc] -blast comb. form Biol. 1 an embryonic cell (erythroblast) (cf. -CYTE). 2 a germ layer of an embryo (epiblast). [Gk blastos sprout] blasted adj. & adv. --attrib.adj. damned; annoying (that blasted dog!). --adv. colloq. damned; extremely (it's blasted cold). blaster n. 1 in senses of BLAST v. 2 Golf a heavy lofted club for playing from a bunker. blastula n. (pl. blastulae or US blastulas) Biol. an animal embryo at an early stage of development when it is a hollow ball of cells. [mod.L f. Gk blastos sprout] blatant adj. 1 flagrant, unashamed (blatant attempt to steal). 2 offensively noisy or obtrusive. ЬЬblatancy n. blatantly adv. [a word used by Spenser (1596), perh. after Sc. blatand = bleating] blather n. & v. (also blether) --n. foolish chatter. --v.intr. chatter foolishly. [ME blather, Sc. blether, f. ON blathra talk nonsense f. blathr nonsense] blatherskite (also bletherskate) n. 1 a person who blathers. 2 = BLATHER n. [BLATHER + skite, corrupt. of derog. use of SKATE(2)] blaze(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a bright flame or fire. 2 a a bright glaring light; the sun set in a blaze of orange. b a full light (a blaze of publicity). 3 a violent outburst (of passion etc.) (a blaze of patriotic fervour). 4 a a glow of colour (roses were a blaze of scarlet). b a bright display (a blaze of glory). --v.intr. 1 burn with a bright flame. 2 be brilliantly lighted. 3 be consumed with anger, excitement, etc. 4 a show bright colours (blazing with jewels). b emit light (stars blazing). Ьblaze away (often foll. by at) 1 fire continuously with rifles etc. 2 work enthusiastically. blaze up 1 burst into flame. 2 burst out in anger. like blazes sl. 1 with great energy. 2 very fast. what the blazes! sl. what the hell! ЬЬblazingly adv. [OE bl‘se torch, f. Gmc: ult. rel. to BLAZE(2)] blaze(2) n. & v. --n. 1 a white mark on an animal's face. 2 a mark made on a tree by slashing the bark esp. to mark a route. --v.tr. mark (a tree or a path) by chipping bark. Ьblaze a trail 1 mark out a path or route. 2 be the first to do, invent, or study something; pioneer. [17th c.: ult. rel. to BLAZE(1)] blaze(3) v.tr. proclaim as with a trumpet. Ьblaze abroad spread (news) about. [ME f. LG or Du. blazen blow, f. Gmc bl‘san] blazer n. 1 a coloured, often striped, summer jacket worn by schoolchildren, sportsmen, etc., esp. as part of a uniform. 2 a man's plain jacket, often dark blue, not worn with matching trousers. [BLAZE(1) + -ER(1)] blazon v. & n. --v.tr. 1 proclaim (esp. blazon abroad). 2 Heraldry a describe or paint (arms). b inscribe or paint (an object) with arms, names, etc. --n. 1 Heraldry a a shield, coat of arms, bearings, or a banner. b a correct description of these. 2 a record or description, esp. of virtues, etc. ЬЬblazoner n. blazonment n. [ME f. OF blason shield, of unkn. orig.; verb also f. BLAZE(3)] blazonry n. Heraldry 1 a the art of describing or painting heraldic devices or armorial bearings. b such devices or bearings. 2 brightly coloured display. bleach v. & n. --v.tr. & intr. whiten by exposure to sunlight or by a chemical process. --n. 1 a bleaching substance. 2 the process of bleaching. Ьbleaching-powder calcium hypochlorite used esp. to remove colour from materials. [OE bl‘can f. Gmc] bleacher n. 1 a a person who bleaches (esp. textiles). b a vessel or chemical used in bleaching. 2 (usu. in pl.) esp. US an outdoor uncovered bench-seat at a sports ground, arranged in tiers and very cheap. bleak(1) adj. 1 bare, exposed; windswept. 2 unpromising; dreary (bleak prospects). ЬЬbleakly adv. bleakness n. [16th c.: rel. to obs. adjs. bleach, blake (f. ON bleikr) pale, ult. f. Gmc: cf. BLEACH] bleak(2) n. any of various species of small river-fish, esp. Alburnus alburnus. [ME prob. f. ON bleikja, OHG bleicha f. Gmc] blear adj. & v. archaic --adj. 1 (of the eyes or the mind) dim, dull, filmy. 2 indistinct. --v.tr. make dim or obscure; blur. [ME, of uncert. orig.] bleary adj. (blearier, bleariest) 1 (of the eyes or mind) dim; blurred. 2 indistinct. Ьbleary-eyed having dim sight or wits. ЬЬblearily adv. bleariness n. bleat v. & n. --v. 1 intr. (of a sheep, goat, or calf) make a weak, wavering cry. 2 intr. & tr. (often foll. by out) speak or say feebly, foolishly, or plaintively. --n. 1 the sound made by a sheep, goat, etc. 2 a weak, plaintive, or foolish cry. ЬЬbleater n. bleatingly adv. [OE bl‘tan (imit.)] bleb n. 1 esp. Med. a small blister on the skin. 2 a small bubble in glass or on water. [var. of BLOB] bleed v. & n. --v. (past and past part. bled) 1 intr. emit blood. 2 tr. draw blood from surgically. 3 a tr. extort money from. b intr. part with money lavishly; suffer extortion. 4 intr. (often foll. by for) suffer wounds or violent death (bled for the Revolution). 5 intr. a (of a plant) emit sap. b (of dye) come out in water. 6 tr. a allow (fluid or gas) to escape from a closed system through a valve etc. b treat (such a system) in this way. 7 Printing a intr. (of a printed area) be cut into when pages are trimmed. b tr. cut into the printed area of when trimming. c tr. extend (an illustration) to the cut edge of a page. --n. an act of bleeding (cf. NOSEBLEED). Ьone's heart bleeds usu. iron. one is very sorrowful. [OE bledan f. Gmc] bleeder n. 1 coarse sl. a person (esp. as a term of contempt or disrespect) (you bleeder; lucky bleeder). 2 colloq. a haemophiliac. bleeding adj. & adv. Brit. coarse sl. expressing annoyance or antipathy (a bleeding nuisance). Ьbleeding heart 1 colloq. a dangerously soft-hearted person. 2 any of various plants, esp. Dicentra spectabilis having heart-shaped crimson flowers hanging from an arched stem. bleep n. & v. --n. an intermittent high-pitched sound made electronically. --v.intr. & tr. make or cause to make such a sound, esp. as a signal. [imit.] bleeper n. a small portable electronic device which emits a bleep when the wearer is contacted. blemish n. & v. --n. a physical or moral defect; a stain; a flaw (not a blemish on his character). --v.tr. spoil the beauty or perfection of; stain (spots blemished her complexion). [ME f. OF ble(s)mir (-ISH(2)) make pale, prob. of Gmc orig.] blench v.intr. flinch; quail. [ME f. OE blencan, ult. f. Gmc] blend v. & n. --v. 1 tr. a mix (esp. sorts of tea, spirits, tobacco, etc.) together to produce a desired flavour etc. b produce by this method (blended whisky). 2 intr. form a harmonious compound; become one. 3 a tr. & intr. (often foll. by with) mingle or be mingled (truth blended with lies; blends well with the locals). b tr. (often foll. by in, with) mix thoroughly. 4 intr. (esp. of colours): a pass imperceptibly into each other. b go well together; harmonize. --n. 1 a a mixture, esp. of various sorts of tea, spirits, tobacco, fibre, etc. b a combination (of different abstract or personal qualities). 2 a portmanteau word. [ME prob. f. ON blanda mix] blende n. any naturally occurring metal sulphide, esp. zinc blende. [G f. blenden deceive, so called because while often resembling galena it yielded no lead] blender n. 1 a mixing machine used in food preparation for liquidizing, chopping, or pur‚eing. 2 a a thing that blends. b a person who blends. Blenheim n. 1 a small spaniel of a red and white breed. 2 this breed. [the Duke of Marlborough's seat at Woodstock in S. England, named after his victory at Blenheim in Bavaria (1704)] Blenheim Orange n. a golden-coloured apple which ripens late in the season. blenny n. (pl. -ies) any of a family of small spiny-finned marine fish, esp. of the genus Blennius, having scaleless skins. [L blennius f. Gk blennos mucus, with reference to its mucous coating] blent poet. past and past part. of BLEND. blepharitis n. inflammation of the eyelids. [Gk blepharon eyelid + -ITIS] blesbok n. (also blesbuck) a subspecies of bontebok, native to southern Africa, having small lyre-shaped horns. [Afrik. f. bles BLAZE(2), (from the white mark on its forehead) + bok goat] bless v.tr. (past and past part. blessed, poet. blest) 1 (of a priest etc.) pronounce words, esp. in a religious rite, asking for divine favour; ask God to look favourably on (bless this house). 2 a consecrate (esp. bread and wine). b sanctify by the sign of the cross. 3 call (God) holy; adore. 4 attribute one's good fortune to (an auspicious time, one's fate, etc.); thank (bless the day I met her; bless my stars). 5 (usu. in passive; often foll. by with) make happy or successful (blessed with children; they were truly blessed). 6 euphem. curse; damn (bless the boy!). Ь(God) bless me (or my soul) an exclamation of surprise, pleasure, indignation, etc. (God) bless you! 1 an exclamation of endearment, gratitude, etc. 2 an exclamation made to a person who has just sneezed. I'm (or well, I'm) blessed (or blest) an exclamation of surprise etc. not have a penny to bless oneself with be impoverished. [OE bloedsian, bledsian, bletsian, f. blod blood (hence mark with blood, consecrate): meaning infl. by its use at the conversion of the English to translate L benedicare praise] blessed adj. (also poet. blest) 1 a consecrated (Blessed Sacrament). b revered. 2 (usu. foll. by with) often iron. fortunate (in the possession of) (blessed with good health; blessed with children). 3 euphem. cursed; damned (blessed nuisance!). 4 a in paradise. b RC Ch. a title given to a dead person as an acknowledgement of his or her holy life; beatified. 5 bringing happiness; blissful (blessed ignorance). ЬЬblessedly adv. blessedness n. 1 happiness. 2 the enjoyment of divine favour. Ьsingle blessedness joc. the state of being unmarried (perversion of Shakesp. Midsummer Night's Dream I. i. 78). blessing n. 1 the act of declaring, seeking, or bestowing (esp. divine) favour (sought God's blessing; mother gave them her blessing). 2 grace said before or after a meal. 3 a gift of God, nature, etc.; a thing one is glad of (what a blessing he brought it!). Ьblessing in disguise an apparent misfortune that eventually has good results. blest poet. var. of BLESSED. blether var. of BLATHER. bletherskate var. of BLATHERSKITE. blew past of BLOW(1), BLOW(3). blewits n. any fungus of the genus Tricholoma, with edible lilac-stemmed mushrooms. [prob. f BLUE(1)] blight n. & v. --n. 1 any plant disease caused by mildews, rusts, smuts, fungi, or insects. 2 any insect or parasite causing such a disease. 3 any obscure force which is harmful or destructive. 4 an unsightly or neglected urban area. --v.tr. 1 affect with blight. 2 harm, destroy. 3 spoil. [17th c.: orig. unkn.] blighter n. Brit. colloq. a person (esp. as a term of contempt or disparagement). [BLIGHT + -ER(1)] Blighty n. (pl. -ies) sl. (used by soldiers, esp. during the war of 1914-18) England; home. [Anglo-Ind. corrupt. of Hind. bilayati, wilayati foreign, European] blimey int. (also cor blimey) Brit. coarse sl. an expression of surprise, contempt, etc. [corrupt. of (God) blind me!] blimp n. 1 (also (Colonel) Blimp) a proponent of reactionary establishment opinions. 2 a a small non-rigid airship. b a barrage balloon. 3 a soundproof cover for a cine-camera. ЬЬblimpery n. blimpish adj. [20th. c., of uncert. orig.: in sense 1, a pompous, obese, elderly character invented by cartoonist David Low (d. 1963), and used in anti-German or anti-Government drawings before and during the war of 1939-45] blind adj., v., n., & adv. --adj. 1 lacking the power of sight. 2 a without foresight, discernment, intellectual perception, or adequate information (blind effort). b (often foll. by to) unwilling or unable to appreciate (a factor, circumstance, etc.) (blind to argument). 3 not governed by purpose or reason (blind forces). 4 reckless (blind hitting). 5 a concealed (blind ditch). b (of a door, window, etc.) walled up. c closed at one end. 6 Aeron. (of flying) without direct observation, using instruments only. 7 Cookery (of a flan case, pie base, etc.) baked without a filling. 8 sl. drunk. --v. 1 tr. deprive of sight, permanently or temporarily (blinded by tears). 2 tr. (often foll. by to) rob of judgement; deceive (blinded them to the danger). 3 intr. sl. go very fast and dangerously, esp. in a motor vehicle. --n. 1 a a screen for a window, esp. on a roller, or with slats (roller blind; Venetian blind). b an awning over a shop window. 2 a something designed or used to hide the truth; a pretext. b a legitimate business concealing a criminal enterprise (he's a spy, and his job is just a blind). 3 any obstruction to sight or light. 4 Brit. sl. a heavy drinking-bout. 5 Cards a stake put up by a poker player before the cards dealt are seen. 6 US = HIDE(1) n. --adv. blindly (fly blind; bake it blind). Ьblind alley 1 a cul-de-sac. 2 a course of action leading nowhere. blind as a bat completely blind. blind coal coal burning without a flame. blind corner a corner round which a motorist etc. cannot see. blind date 1 a social engagement between a man and a woman who have not previously met. 2 either of the couple on a blind date. blind drunk extremely drunk. blind gut the caecum. blind man's buff a game in which a blindfold player tries to catch others while being pushed about by them. blind side a direction in which one cannot see the approach of danger etc. blind spot 1 Anat. the point of entry of the optic nerve on the retina, insensitive to light. 2 an area in which a person lacks understanding or impartiality. 3 a point of unusually weak radio reception. blind stamping (or tooling) embossing a book cover without the use of colour or gold leaf. blind-stitch n. sewing visible on one side only. --v.tr. & intr. sew with this stitch. blind to incapable of appreciating. blind with science overawe with a display of (often spurious) knowledge. go it blind act recklessly or without proper consideration. not a blind bit of (or not a blind) sl. not the slightest; not a single (took not a blind bit of notice; not a blind word out of him). turn a (or one's) blind eye to pretend not to notice. ЬЬblindly adv. blindness n. [OE f. Gmc] blinder n. colloq. 1 an excellent piece of play in a game. 2 (in pl.) US blinkers. blindfold v., n., adj., & adv. --v.tr. 1 deprive (a person) of sight by covering the eyes, esp. with a tied cloth. 2 deprive of understanding; hoodwink. --n. 1 a bandage or cloth used to blindfold. 2 any obstruction to understanding. --adj. & adv. 1 with eyes bandaged. 2 without care or circumspection (went into it blindfold). 3 Chess without sight of board and men. [replacing (by assoc. with FOLD(1)) ME blindfellen, past part. blindfelled (FELL(1)) strike blind] blinding n. 1 the process of covering a newly made road etc. with grit to fill cracks. 2 such grit. blindworm n. = SLOW-WORM. blink v. & n. --v. 1 intr. shut and open the eyes quickly and usu. involuntarily. 2 intr. (often foll. by at) look with eyes opening and shutting. 3 tr. a (often foll. by back) prevent (tears) by blinking. b (often foll. by away, from) clear (dust etc.) from the eyes by blinking. 4 tr. & (foll. by at) intr. shirk consideration of; ignore; condone. 5 intr. a shine with an unsteady or intermittent light. b cast a momentary gleam. 6 tr. blink with (eyes). --n. 1 an act of blinking. 2 a momentary gleam or glimpse. 3 = ICEBLINK. Ьon the blink sl. out of order, esp. intermittently. [partly var. of blenk = BLENCH, partly f. MDu. blinken shine] blinker n. & v. --n. 1 (usu. in pl.) either of a pair of screens attached to a horse's bridle to prevent it from seeing sideways. 2 a device that blinks, esp. a vehicle's indicator. --v.tr. 1 obscure with blinkers. 2 (as blinkered adj.) having narrow and prejudiced views. blinking adj. & adv. Brit. sl. an intensive, esp. expressing disapproval (a blinking idiot; a blinking awful time). [BLINK + -ING(2) (euphem. for BLOODY)] blip n. & v. --n. 1 a quick popping sound, as of dripping water or an electronic device. 2 a small image of an object on a radar screen. --v. (blipped, blipping) 1 intr. make a blip. 2 tr. strike briskly. [imit.] bliss n. 1 a perfect joy or happiness. b enjoyment; gladness. 2 a being in heaven. b a state of blessedness. [OE bliths, bliss f. Gmc blithsjo f. blithiz BLITHE: sense infl. by BLESS] blissful adj. perfectly happy; joyful. Ьblissful ignorance fortunate unawareness of something unpleasant. ЬЬblissfully adv. blissfulness n. blister n. & v. --n. 1 a small bubble on the skin filled with serum and caused by friction, burning, etc. 2 a similar swelling on any other surface. 3 Med. anything applied to raise a blister. 4 sl. an annoying person. --v. 1 tr. raise a blister on. 2 intr. come up in a blister or blisters. 3 tr. attack sharply (blistered them with his criticisms). Ьblister copper copper which is almost pure. blister gas a poison gas causing blisters on the skin. blister pack a bubble pack. ЬЬblistery adj. [ME perh. f. OF blestre, blo(u)stre swelling, pimple] blithe adj. 1 poet. gay, joyous. 2 careless, casual (with blithe indifference). ЬЬblithely adv. blitheness n. blithesome adj. [OE blithe f. Gmc] blithering adj. colloq. 1 senselessly talkative. 2 a (attrib.) utter; hopeless (blithering idiot). b contemptible. [blither, var. of BLATHER + -ING(2)] B.Litt. abbr. Bachelor of Letters. [L Baccalaureus Litterarum] blitz n. & v. colloq. --n. 1 a an intensive or sudden (esp. aerial) attack. b an energetic intensive attack, usu. on a specific task (must have a blitz on this room). 2 (the Blitz) the German air raids on London in 1940. --v.tr. attack, damage, or destroy by a blitz. [abbr. of BLITZKRIEG] blitzkrieg n. an intense military campaign intended to bring about a swift victory. [G, = lightning war] blizzard n. a severe snowstorm with high winds. [US 'violent blow' (1829), 'snowstorm' (1859), perh. imit.] bloat v. 1 tr. & intr. inflate, swell (wind bloated the sheets; bloated with gas). 2 tr. (as bloated adj.) a swollen, puffed. b puffed up with pride or excessive wealth (bloated plutocrat). 3 tr. cure (a herring) by salting and smoking lightly. [obs. bloat swollen, soft and wet, perh. f. ON blautr soaked, flabby] bloater n. a herring cured by bloating. blob n. 1 a small roundish mass; a drop of matter. 2 a drop of liquid. 3 a spot of colour. 4 Cricket sl. a score of 0. [imit.: cf. BLEB] bloc n. a combination of parties, governments, groups, etc. sharing a common purpose. Ьbloc vote = block vote. [F, = block] block n., v., & adj. --n. 1 a solid hewn or unhewn piece of hard material, esp. of rock, stone, or wood (block of ice). 2 a flat-topped block used as a base for chopping, beheading, standing something on, hammering on, or for mounting a horse from. 3 a a large building, esp. when subdivided (block of flats). b a compact mass of buildings bounded by (usu. four) streets. 4 an obstruction; anything preventing progress or normal working (a block in the pipe). 5 a chock for stopping the motion of a wheel etc. 6 a pulley or system of pulleys mounted in a case. 7 (in pl.) any of a set of solid cubes etc., used as a child's toy. 8 Printing a piece of wood or metal engraved for printing on paper or fabric. 9 a head-shaped mould used for shaping hats or wigs. 10 sl. the head (knock his block off). 11 US a the area between streets in a town or suburb. b the length of such an area, esp. as a measure of distance (lives three blocks away). 12 a stolid, unimaginative, or hard-hearted person. 13 a large quantity or allocation of things treated as a unit, esp. shares, seats in a theatre, etc. 14 a set of sheets of paper used for writing, or esp. drawing, glued along one edge. 15 Cricket a spot on which a batsman blocks the ball before the wicket, and rests the bat before playing. 16 Athletics = starting-block. 17 Amer. Football a blocking action. 18 Austral. a a tract of land offered to an individual settler by a government. b a large area of land. --v.tr. 1 a (often foll. by up) obstruct (a passage etc.) (the road was blocked; you are blocking my view). b put obstacles in the way of (progress etc.). 2 restrict the use or conversion of (currency or any other asset). 3 use a block for making (a hat, wig, etc.). 4 emboss or impress a design on (a book cover). 5 Cricket stop (a ball) with a bat defensively. 6 Amer. Football intercept (an opponent) with one's body. --attrib.adj. treating (many similar things) as one unit (block booking). Ьblock and tackle a system of pulleys and ropes, esp. for lifting. block capitals (or letters) letters printed without serifs, or written with each letter separate and in capitals. block diagram a diagram showing the general arrangement of parts of an apparatus. block in 1 sketch roughly; plan. 2 confine. block mountain Geol. a mountain formed by natural faults. block out 1 a shut out (light, noise, etc.). b exclude from memory, as being too painful. 2 sketch roughly; plan. block-ship Naut. a ship used to block a channel. block system a system by which no railway train may enter a section that is not clear. block tin refined tin cast in ingots. block up 1 confine; shut (a person etc.) in. 2 infill (a window, doorway, etc.) with bricks etc. block vote a vote proportional in power to the number of people a delegate represents. mental (or psychological) block a particular mental inability due to subconscious emotional factors. on the block US being auctioned. put the blocks on prevent from proceeding. ЬЬblocker n. [ME f. OF bloc, bloquer f. MDu. blok, of unkn. orig.] blockade n. & v. --n. 1 the surrounding or blocking of a place, esp. a port, by an enemy to prevent entry and exit of supplies etc. 2 anything that prevents access or progress. 3 US an obstruction by snow etc. --v.tr. 1 subject to a blockade. 2 obstruct (a passage, a view, etc.). Ьblockade-runner 1 a vessel which runs or attempts to run into a blockaded port. 2 the owner, master, or one of the crew of such a vessel. run a blockade enter or leave a blockaded port by evading the blockading force. ЬЬblockader n. [BLOCK + -ADE(1), prob. after ambuscade] blockage n. 1 an obstruction. 2 a blocked state. blockboard n. a plywood board with a core of wooden strips. blockbuster n. sl. 1 something of great power or size, esp. an epic film or a book. 2 a huge bomb capable of destroying a whole block of buildings. blockhead n. a stupid person. ЬЬblockheaded adj. blockhouse n. 1 a reinforced concrete shelter used as an observation point etc. 2 hist. a one-storeyed timber building with loopholes, used as a fort. 3 a house made of squared logs. blockish adj. 1 resembling a block. 2 excessively dull; stupid, obtuse. 3 clumsy, rude, roughly hewn. ЬЬblockishly adv. blockishness n. bloke n. Brit. sl. a man, a fellow. [Shelta] blond adj. & n. --adj. 1 (of hair) light-coloured; fair. 2 (of the complexion, esp. as an indication of race) light-coloured. --n. a person, esp. a man, with fair hair and skin. ЬЬblondish adj. blondness n. [ME f. F f. med.L blondus, blundus yellow, perh. of Gmc orig.] blonde adj. & n. --adj. (of a woman or a woman's hair) blond. --n. a blond-haired woman. [F fem. of blond; see BLOND] blood n. & v. --n. 1 a liquid, usually red and circulating in the arteries and veins of vertebrates, that carries oxygen to and carbon dioxide from the tissues of the body. 2 a corresponding fluid in invertebrates. 3 bloodshed, esp. killing. 4 passion, temperament. 5 race, descent, parentage (of the same blood). 6 a relationship; relations (own flesh and blood; blood is thicker than water). 7 a dandy; a man of fashion. --v.tr. 1 give (a hound) a first taste of blood. 2 initiate (a person) by experience. Ьbad blood ill feeling. blood-and-thunder (attrib.) colloq. sensational, melodramatic. blood bank a place where supplies of blood or plasma for transfusion are stored. blood bath a massacre. blood-brother a brother by birth or by the ceremonial mingling of blood. blood count 1 the counting of the number of corpuscles in a specific amount of blood. 2 the number itself. blood-curdling horrifying. blood donor one who gives blood for transfusion. blood feud a feud between families involving killing or injury. blood group any one of the various types of human blood determining compatibility in transfusion. blood-heat the normal body temperature of a healthy human being, about 37 шC or 98.4 шF. blood horse a thoroughbred. one's blood is up one is in a fighting mood. blood-letting 1 the surgical removal of some of a patient's blood. 2 joc. bloodshed. blood-lust the desire for shedding blood. blood-money 1 money paid to the next of kin of a person who has been killed. 2 money paid to a hired murderer. 3 money paid for information about a murder or murderer. blood orange an orange with red or red-streaked pulp. blood-poisoning a diseased state caused by the presence of micro-organisms in the blood. blood pressure the pressure of the blood in the circulatory system, often measured for diagnosis since it is closely related to the force and rate of the heartbeat and the diameter and elasticity of the arterial walls. blood-red red as blood. blood relation (or relative) a relative by blood, not by marriage. blood royal the royal family. blood serum see SERUM. blood sport sport involving the wounding or killing of animals, esp. hunting. blood sugar the amount of glucose in the blood. blood test a scientific examination of blood, esp. for diagnosis. blood transfusion the injection of a volume of blood, previously taken from a healthy person, into a patient. blood-vessel a vein, artery, or capillary carrying blood. blood-wort any of various plants having red roots or leaves, esp. the red-veined dock. first blood 1 the first shedding of blood, esp. in boxing. 2 the first point gained in a contest etc. in one's blood inherent in one's character. make one's blood boil infuriate one. make one's blood run cold horrify one. new (or fresh) blood new members admitted to a group, esp. as an invigorating force. of the blood royal. out for a person's blood set on getting revenge. taste blood be stimulated by an early success. young blood 1 a younger member or members of a group. 2 a rake or fashionable young man. [OE blod f. Gmc] blooded adj. 1 (of horses etc.) of good pedigree. 2 (in comb.) having blood or a disposition of a specified kind (cold-blooded; red-blooded). bloodhound n. 1 a large hound of a breed used in tracking and having a very keen sense of smell. 2 this breed. bloodless adj. 1 without blood. 2 unemotional; cold. 3 pale. 4 without bloodshed (a bloodless coup). 5 feeble; lifeless. ЬЬbloodlessly adv. bloodlessness n. bloodshed n. 1 the spilling of blood. 2 slaughter. bloodshot adj. (of an eyeball) inflamed, tinged with blood. bloodstain n. a discoloration caused by blood. bloodstained adj. 1 stained with blood. 2 guilty of bloodshed. bloodstock n. thoroughbred horses. bloodstone n. a type of green chalcedony spotted or streaked with red, often used as a gemstone. bloodstream n. blood in circulation. bloodsucker n. 1 an animal or insect that sucks blood, esp. a leech. 2 an extortioner. ЬЬbloodsucking adj. bloodthirsty adj. (bloodthirstier, bloodthirstiest) eager for bloodshed. ЬЬbloodthirstily adv. bloodthirstiness n. bloodworm n. 1 any of a variety of bright-red midge-larvae. 2 a small tubifex worm used as food for aquarium fish. bloody adj., adv., & v. --adj. (bloodier, bloodiest) 1 a of or like blood. b running or smeared with blood (bloody bandage). 2 a involving, loving, or resulting from bloodshed (bloody battle). b sanguinary; cruel (bloody butcher). 3 coarse sl. expressing annoyance or antipathy, or as an intensive (a bloody shame; a bloody sight better; not a bloody chocolate left). 4 red. --adv. coarse sl. as an intensive (a bloody good job; I'll bloody thump him). --v.tr. (-ies, -ied) make bloody; stain with blood. Ьbloody hand Heraldry the armorial device of a baronet. Bloody Mary a drink composed of vodka and tomato juice. bloody-minded colloq. deliberately uncooperative. bloody-mindedly colloq. in a perverse or uncooperative manner. bloody-mindedness colloq. perversity, contrariness. ЬЬbloodily adv. bloodiness n. [OE blodig (as BLOOD, -Y(1))] bloom(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a a flower, esp. one cultivated for its beauty. b the state of flowering (in bloom). 2 a state of perfection or loveliness; the prime (in full bloom). 3 a (of the complexion) a flush; a glow. b a delicate powdery surface deposit on plums, grapes, leaves, etc., indicating freshness. c a cloudiness on a shiny surface. --v. 1 intr. bear flowers; be in flower. 2 intr. a come into, or remain in, full beauty. b flourish; be in a healthy, vigorous state. 3 tr. Photog. coat (a lens) so as to reduce reflection from its surface. Ьtake the bloom off make stale. water-bloom scum formed by algae on the surface of standing water. [ME f. ON blўm, blўmi etc. f. Gmc: cf. BLOSSOM] bloom(2) n. & v. --n. a mass of puddled iron hammered or squeezed into a thick bar. --v.tr. make into bloom. [OE bloma] bloomer(1) n. sl. a blunder. [= BLOOMING error] bloomer(2) n. Brit. an oblong loaf with a rounded diagonally slashed top. [20th c.: orig. uncert.] bloomer(3) n. a plant that blooms (in a specified way) (early autumn bloomer). bloomers n.pl. 1 women's loose-fitting almost knee-length knickers. 2 colloq. any women's knickers. 3 hist. women's loose-fitting trousers, gathered at the knee or (orig.) the ankle. [Mrs A. Bloomer, Amer. social reformer d. 1894, who advocated a similar costume] bloomery n. (pl. -ies) a factory that makes puddled iron into blooms. blooming adj. & adv. --adj. 1 flourishing; healthy. 2 Brit. sl. an intensive (a blooming miracle). --adv. Brit. sl. an intensive (was blooming difficult). [BLOOM(1) + -ING(2): euphem. for BLOODY] Bloomsbury n. & adj. --n. (in full Bloomsbury Group) a group of writers, artists, and philosophers living in or associated with Bloomsbury in London in the early 20th c. --adj. 1 associated with or similar to the Bloomsbury Group. 2 intellectual; highbrow. blooper n. esp. US colloq. an embarrassing error. [imit. bloop + -ER(1)] blossom n. & v. --n. 1 a flower or a mass of flowers, esp. of a fruit-tree. 2 the stage or time of flowering (the cherry tree in blossom). 3 a promising stage (the blossom of youth). --v.intr. 1 open into flower. 2 reach a promising stage; mature, thrive. ЬЬblossomy adj. [OE blostm(a) prob. formed as BLOOM(1)] blot n. & v. --n. 1 a spot or stain of ink etc. 2 a moral defect in an otherwise good character; a disgraceful act or quality. 3 any disfigurement or blemish. --v. (blotted, blotting) 1 a tr. spot or stain with ink; smudge. b intr. (of a pen, ink, etc.) make blots. 2 tr. a use blotting-paper or other absorbent material to absorb excess ink. b (of blotting-paper etc.) soak up (esp. ink). 3 tr. disgrace (blotted his reputation). Ьblot one's copybook damage one's reputation. blot on the escutcheon a disgrace to the family name. blot out 1 a obliterate (writing). b obscure (a view, sound, etc.). 2 obliterate (from the memory) as too painful. 3 destroy. blotting-paper unglazed absorbent paper used for soaking up excess ink. [ME prob. f. Scand.: cf. Icel. blettr spot, stain] blotch n. & v. --n. 1 a discoloured or inflamed patch on the skin. 2 an irregular patch of ink or colour. --v.tr. cover with blotches. ЬЬblotchy adj. (blotchier, blotchiest). [17th c.: f. obs. plotch and BLOT] blotter n. 1 a sheet or sheets of blotting-paper, usu. inserted into a frame. 2 US a temporary recording-book, esp. a police charge-sheet. blotto adj. sl. very drunk, esp. unconscious from drinking. [20th c.: perh. f. BLOT] blouse n. & v. --n. 1 a a woman's loose, usu. lightweight, upper garment, usu. buttoned and collared. b the upper part of a soldier's or airman's battledress. 2 a workman's or peasant's loose linen or cotton garment, usu. belted at the waist. --v.tr. make (a bodice etc.) loose like a blouse. [F, of unkn. orig.] blouson n. a short blouse-shaped jacket. [F] blow(1) v. & n. --v. (past blew; past part. blown) 1 a intr. (of the wind or air, or impersonally) move along; act as an air-current (it was blowing hard). b intr. be driven by an air-current (waste paper blew along the gutter). c tr. drive with an air-current (blew the door open). 2 a tr. send out (esp. air) by breathing (blew cigarette smoke; blew a bubble). b intr. send a directed air-current from the mouth. 3 tr. & intr. sound or be sounded by blowing (the whistle blew; they blew the trumpets). 4 tr. a direct an air-current at (blew the embers). b (foll. by off, away, etc.) clear of by means of an air-current (blew the dust off). 5 tr. (past part. blowed) sl. (esp. in imper.) curse, confound (blow it!; I'll be blowed!; let's take a taxi and blow the expense). 6 tr. a clear (the nose) of mucus by blowing. b remove contents from (an egg) by blowing through it. 7 a intr. puff, pant. b tr. (esp. in passive) exhaust of breath. 8 sl. a tr. depart suddenly from (blew the town yesterday). b intr. depart suddenly. 9 tr. shatter or send flying by an explosion (the bomb blew the tiles off the roof; blew them to smithereens). 10 tr. make or shape (glass or a bubble) by blowing air in. 11 tr. & intr. melt or cause to melt from overloading (the fuse has blown). 12 intr. (of a whale) eject air and water through a blow-hole. 13 tr. break into (a safe etc.) with explosives. 14 tr. sl. a squander, spend recklessly (blew њ20 on a meal). b spoil, bungle (an opportunity etc.) (he's blown his chances of winning). c reveal (a secret etc.). 15 intr. (of a food-tin etc.) swell and eventually burst from internal gas pressure. 16 tr. work the bellows of (an organ). 17 tr. (of flies) deposit eggs in. 18 intr. US & Austral. colloq. boast. --n. 1 a an act of blowing (e.g. one's nose, a wind instrument). b colloq. a turn or spell of playing jazz (on any instrument); a musical session. 2 a a gust of wind or air. b exposure to fresh air. 3 = fly-blow (see FLY(2)). 4 US a boaster. Ьbe blowed if one will sl. be unwilling to. blow-ball the globular seed-head of a dandelion etc. blow-dry arrange (the hair) while drying it with a hand-held drier. blow-drier (or -dryer) a drier used for this. blow the gaff reveal a secret inadvertently. blow-hole 1 the nostril of a whale, on the top of its head. 2 a hole (esp. in ice) for breathing or fishing through. 3 a vent for air, smoke, etc., in a tunnel etc. blow hot and cold colloq. vacillate. blow in 1 break inwards by an explosion. 2 colloq. arrive unexpectedly. blow-job coarse sl. fellatio; cunnilingus. blow a kiss kiss one's hand and wave it to a distant person. blow a person's mind sl. cause a person to have drug-induced hallucinations or a similar experience. blow off 1 escape or allow (steam etc.) to escape forcibly. 2 sl. break wind noisily. blow on (or upon) make stale; discredit. blow out 1 a extinguish by blowing. b send outwards by an explosion. 2 (of a tyre) burst. 3 (of a fuse etc.) melt. blow-out n. colloq. 1 a burst tyre. 2 a melted fuse. 3 a huge meal. blow over (of trouble etc.) fade away without serious consequences. blow one's own trumpet praise oneself. blow one's top (US stack) colloq. explode in rage. blow up 1 a shatter or destroy by an explosion. b explode, erupt. 2 colloq. rebuke strongly. 3 inflate (a tyre etc.). 4 colloq. a enlarge (a photograph). b exaggerate. 5 colloq. come to notice; arise. 6 colloq. lose one's temper. blow-up n. 1 colloq. an enlargement (of a photograph etc.). 2 an explosion. blow the whistle on see WHISTLE. [OE blawan f. Gmc] blow(2) n. 1 a hard stroke with a hand or weapon. 2 a sudden shock or misfortune. Ьat one blow by a single stroke; in one operation. blow-by-blow (of a description etc.) giving all the details in sequence. come to blows end up fighting. strike a blow for (or against) help (or oppose). [15th c.: orig. unkn.] blow(3) v. & n. archaic --v.intr. (past blew; past part. blown) burst into or be in flower. --n. blossoming, bloom (in full blow). [OE blowan f. Gmc] blower n. 1 in senses of BLOW(1) v. 2 a device for creating a current of air. 3 colloq. a telephone. blowfish n. any of several kinds of fish able to inflate their bodies when frightened etc. blowfly n. (pl. -flies) a meat-fly, a bluebottle. blowgun n. US = BLOWPIPE. blowhard n. & adj. colloq. --n. a boastful person. --adj. boastful; blustering. blowlamp n. a portable device with a very hot flame used for burning off paint, soldering, etc. blown past part. of BLOW(1), BLOW(3). blowpipe n. 1 a tube used esp. by primitive peoples for propelling arrows or darts by blowing. 2 a tube used to intensify the heat of a flame by blowing air or other gas through it at high pressure. 3 a tube used in glass-blowing. blowtorch n. US = BLOWLAMP. blowy adj. (blowier, blowiest) windy, windswept. ЬЬblowiness n. blowzy adj. (blowzier, blowziest) 1 coarse-looking; red-faced. 2 dishevelled, slovenly. ЬЬblowzily adv. blowziness n. [obs. blowze beggar's wench, of unkn. orig.] blub v.intr. (blubbed, blubbing) sl. sob. [abbr. of BLUBBER(1)] blubber(1) n. & v. --n. 1 whale fat. 2 a spell of weeping. --v. 1 intr. sob loudly. 2 tr. sob out (words). ЬЬblubberer n. blubberingly adv. blubbery adj. [ME perh. imit. (obs. meanings 'foaming, bubble')] blubber(2) adj. (of the lips) swollen, protruding. [earlier blabber, blobber, imit.] bluchers n.pl. hist. strong leather half-boots or high shoes. [G. L. von BlЃcher, Prussian general d. 1819] bludge v. & n. Austral. & NZ sl. --v.intr. avoid work. --n. an easy job or assignment. Ьbludge on impose on. [back-form. f. BLUDGER] bludgeon n. & v. --n. a club with a heavy end. --v.tr. 1 beat with a bludgeon. 2 coerce. [18th c.: orig. unkn.] bludger n. Austral. & NZ sl. 1 a hanger-on. 2 a loafer. [orig. E sl., = pimp, f. obs. bludgeoner f. BLUDGEON] blue(1) adj., n., & v. --adj. 1 having a colour like that of a clear sky. 2 sad, depressed; (of a state of affairs) gloomy, dismal (feel blue; blue times). 3 indecent, pornographic (a blue film). 4 with bluish skin through cold, fear, anger, etc. 5 Brit. politically conservative. 6 having blue as a distinguishing colour (blue jay). --n. 1 a blue colour or pigment. 2 blue clothes or material (dressed in blue). 3 Brit. a a person who has represented a university in a sport, esp. Oxford or Cambridge. b this distinction. 4 Brit. a supporter of the Conservative party. 5 any of various small blue-coloured butterflies of the family Lycaenidae. 6 blue powder used to whiten laundry. 7 Austral. sl. a an argument or row. b (as a nickname) a red-headed person. 8 a blue ball, piece, etc. in a game or sport. 9 (prec. by the) the clear sky. --v.tr. (blues, blued, bluing or blueing) 1 make blue. 2 treat with laundering blue. Ьblue baby a baby with a blue complexion from lack of oxygen in the blood due to a congenital defect of the heart or great vessels. blue bag a lawyer's brief-bag. blue blood noble birth. blue-blooded of noble birth. Blue Book a report issued by Parliament or the Privy Council. blue cheese cheese produced with veins of blue mould, e.g. Stilton and Danish Blue. blue-chip (attrib.) of shares of reliable investment, though less secure than gilt-edged stock. blue-collar (attrib.) of manual or unskilled work. blue dahlia something rare or impossible. blue ensign see ENSIGN. blue-eyed boy esp. Brit. colloq. usu. derog. a favoured person; a favourite. blue funk esp. Brit. colloq. a state of great terror or panic. blue-green alga = CYANOBACTERIUM. blue ground = KIMBERLITE. blue in the face in a state of extreme anger or exasperation. blue metal broken blue stone used for road-making. blue mould a bluish fungus growing on food and other organic matter. blue-pencil (-pencilled, -pencilling; US -penciled, -penciling) censor or make cuts in (a manuscript, film, etc.). Blue Peter a blue flag with a white square raised on board a ship leaving port. blue ribbon 1 a high honour. 2 Brit. the ribbon of the Order of the Garter. blue rinse a preparation for tinting grey hair. blue roan see ROAN(1). blue rock = rock-dove (see ROCK(1)). blue stone (or vitriol) copper sulphate crystals. blue tit a common tit, Parus caeruleus, with a distinct blue crest on a black and white head. blue water open sea. blue whale a rorqual, Balaenoptera musculus, the largest known living mammal. once in a blue moon very rarely. out of the blue unexpectedly. ЬЬblueness n. [ME f. OF bleu f. Gmc] blue(2) v.tr. (blues, blued, bluing or blueing) sl. squander (money). [perh. var. of BLOW(1)] Bluebeard n. 1 a man who murders his wives. 2 a person with a horrible secret. [a character in a fairy-tale told orig. in F (Barbe-Bleue) by Perrault] bluebell n. 1 a liliaceous plant, Hyacinthoides nonscripta, with clusters of bell-shaped blue flowers on a stem arising from a rhizome. Also called wild hyacinth, wood hyacinth (see HYACINTH). 2 Sc. a plant, Campanula rotundifolia, with solitary bell-shaped blue flowers on long stalks. Also called HAREBELL. 3 any of several plants with blue bell-shaped flowers. blueberry n. (pl. -ies) 1 any of several plants of the genus Vaccinium, cultivated for their edible fruit. 2 the small blue-black fruit of these plants. bluebird n. any of various N. American songbirds of the thrush family, esp. of the genus Sialia, with distinctive blue plumage usu. on the back or head. bluebottle n. 1 a large buzzing fly, Calliphora vomitoria, with a metallic-blue body. Also called BLOWFLY. 2 Austral. a Portuguese man-of-war. 3 a dark blue cornflower. 4 Brit. colloq. a policeman. bluefish n. a voracious marine fish, Pomatomus saltatrix, inhabiting tropical waters and popular as a game-fish. bluegrass n. US 1 any of several bluish-green grasses, esp. of Kentucky. 2 a kind of instrumental country-and-western music characterized by virtuosic playing of banjos, guitars, etc. bluegum n. any tree of the genus Eucalyptus, esp. E. regnans with blue-green aromatic leaves. bluejacket n. a seaman in the Navy. Bluemantle n. one of four pursuivants of the English College of Arms. blueprint n. & v. --n. 1 a photographic print of the final stage of engineering or other plans in white on a blue background. 2 a detailed plan, esp. in the early stages of a project or idea. --v.tr. US work out (a programme, plan, etc.). blues n.pl. 1 (prec. by the) a bout of depression (had a fit of the blues). 2 a (prec. by the; often treated as sing.) melancholic music of Black American folk origin, often in a twelve-bar sequence (always singing the blues). b (pl. same) (as sing.) a piece of such music (the band played a blues). ЬЬbluesy adj. (in sense 2). bluestocking n. usu. derog. an intellectual or literary woman. [from the (less formal) blue stockings worn by one man at a literary society meeting c.1750] bluet n. US a blue-flowered plant of the genus Houstonia. bluey n. (pl. -eys) Austral. colloq. 1 a bundle carried by a bushman. 2 = BLUE n. 7b. bluff(1) v. & n. --v. 1 intr. make a pretence of strength or confidence to gain an advantage. 2 tr. mislead by bluffing. --n. an act of bluffing; a show of confidence or assertiveness intended to deceive. Ьcall a person's bluff challenge a person thought to be bluffing. ЬЬbluffer n. [19th c. (orig. in poker) f. Du. bluffen brag] bluff(2) adj. & n. --adj. 1 (of a cliff, or a ship's bows) having a vertical or steep broad front. 2 (of a person or manner) blunt, frank, hearty. --n. a steep cliff or headland. ЬЬbluffly adv. (in sense 2 of adj.). bluffness n. (in sense 2 of adj.). [17th-c. Naut. word: orig. unkn.] bluish adj. somewhat blue. blunder n. & v. --n. a clumsy or foolish mistake, esp. an important one. --v. 1 intr. make a blunder; act clumsily or ineptly. 2 tr. deal incompetently with; mismanage. 3 intr. move about blindly or clumsily; stumble. ЬЬblunderer n. blunderingly adv. [ME prob. f. Scand.: cf. MSw blundra shut the eyes] blunderbuss n. hist. a short large-bored gun firing balls or slugs. [alt. of Du. donderbus thunder gun, assoc. with BLUNDER] blunge v.tr. (in ceramics etc.) mix (clay etc.) with water. ЬЬblunger n. [after plunge, blend] blunt adj. & v. --adj. 1 (of a knife, pencil, etc.) lacking in sharpness; having a worn-down point or edge. 2 (of a person or manner) direct, uncompromising, outspoken. --v.tr. make blunt or less sharp. ЬЬbluntly adv. (in sense 2 of adj.). bluntness n. [ME perh. f. Scand.: cf. ON blunda shut the eyes] blur v. & n. --v. (blurred, blurring) 1 tr. & intr. make or become unclear or less distinct. 2 tr. smear; partially efface. 3 tr. make (one's memory, perception, etc.) dim or less clear. --n. something that appears or sounds indistinct or unclear. ЬЬblurry adj. (blurrier, blurriest). [16th c.: perh. rel. to BLEAR] blurb n. a (usu. eulogistic) description of a book, esp. printed on its jacket, as promotion by its publishers. [coined by G. Burgess, Amer. humorist d. 1951] blurt v.tr. (usu. foll. by out) utter abruptly, thoughtlessly, or tactlessly. [prob. imit.] blush v. & n. --v.intr. 1 a develop a pink tinge in the face from embarrassment or shame. b (of the face) redden in this way. 2 feel embarrassed or ashamed. 3 be or become red or pink. --n. 1 the act of blushing. 2 a pink tinge. Ьat first blush on the first glimpse or impression. spare a person's blushes refrain from causing embarrassment esp. by praise. [ME f. OE blyscan] blusher n. a cosmetic used to give a warmth of colour to the face. bluster v. & n. --v.intr. 1 behave pompously and boisterously; utter empty threats. 2 (of the wind etc.) blow fiercely. --n. 1 noisily self-assertive talk. 2 empty threats. ЬЬblusterer n. blustery adj. [16th c.: ult. imit.] 12.0 BM... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- BM abbr. 1 British Museum. 2 Bachelor of Medicine. BMA abbr. British Medical Association. B.Mus. abbr. Bachelor of Music. BMX n. 1 organized bicycle-racing on a dirt-track, esp. for youngsters. 2 a kind of bicycle used for this. 3 (attrib.) of or related to such racing or the equipment used (BMX gloves). [abbr. of bicycle moto- cross] 13.0 Bn.... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Bn. abbr. Battalion. bn. abbr. billion. 14.0 BO.... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- BO abbr. colloq. body odour. bo(1) int. = BOO. [imit.] bo(2) n. US colloq. (as a form of address) pal; old chap. [19th c.: perh. f. BOY] boa n. 1 any large non-poisonous snake from tropical America esp. of the genus Boa, which kills its prey by crushing and suffocating it in its coils. 2 any snake which is similar in appearance, such as Old World pythons. 3 a long thin stole made of feathers or fur. Ьboa constrictor a large snake, Boa constrictor, native to tropical America and the West Indies, which crushes its prey. [L] boar n. 1 (in full wild boar) the tusked wild pig, Sus scrofa, from which domestic pigs are descended. 2 an uncastrated male pig. 3 its flesh. 4 a male guinea-pig etc. [OE bar f. WG] board n. & v. --n. 1 a a flat thin piece of sawn timber, usu. long and narrow. b a piece of material resembling this, made from compressed fibres. c a thin slab of wood or a similar substance, often with a covering, used for any of various purposes (chessboard; ironing-board; notice-board). d thick stiff card used in bookbinding. 2 the provision of regular meals, usu. with accommodation, for payment. 3 archaic a table spread for a meal. 4 the directors of a company; any other specially constituted administrative body, e.g. a committee or group of councillors, examiners, etc. 5 (in pl.) the stage of a theatre (cf. tread the boards). 6 Naut. the side of a ship. --v. 1 tr. a go on board (a ship, train, aircraft, etc.). b force one's way on board (a ship etc.) in attack. 2 a intr. receive regular meals, or (esp. of a schoolchild) meals and lodging, for payment. b tr. (often foll. by out) arrange accommodation away from home for (esp. a child). c tr. provide (a lodger etc.) with regular meals. 3 tr. (usu. foll. by up) cover with boards; seal or close. Ьboard-game a game played on a board. board of trade US a chamber of commerce. go by the board be neglected, omitted, or discarded. on board on or on to a ship, aircraft, oil rig, etc. take on board consider (a new idea etc.). [OE bord f. Gmc] boarder n. 1 a person who boards (see BOARD v. 2a), esp. a pupil at a boarding-school. 2 a person who boards a ship, esp. an enemy. boarding-house n. an unlicensed establishment providing board and lodging, esp. to holiday-makers. boarding-school n. a school where pupils are resident in term-time. boardroom n. a room in which a board of directors etc. meets regularly. boardsailing n. = WINDSURFING. ЬЬboardsailor n. (also boardsailer). boardwalk n. US 1 a wooden walkway across sand, marsh, etc. 2 a promenade along a beach. boart var. of BORT. boast v. & n. --v. 1 intr. declare one's achievements, possessions, or abilities with indulgent pride and satisfaction. 2 tr. own or have as something praiseworthy etc. (the hotel boasts magnificent views). --n. 1 an act of boasting. 2 something one is proud of. ЬЬboaster n. boastingly adv. [ME f. AF bost, of unkn. orig.] boastful adj. 1 given to boasting. 2 characterized by boasting (boastful talk). ЬЬboastfully adv. boastfulness n. boat n. & v. --n. 1 a small vessel propelled on water by an engine, oars, or sails. 2 (in general use) a ship of any size. 3 an elongated boat-shaped jug used for holding sauce etc. --v.intr. travel or go in a boat, esp. for pleasure. Ьboat-hook a long pole with a hook and a spike at one end, for moving boats. boat-house a shed at the edge of a river, lake, etc., for housing boats. boat people refugees who have left a country by sea. boat race a race between rowing crews, esp. (Boat Race) the one between Oxford and Cambridge. boat-train a train scheduled to meet or go on a boat. in the same boat sharing the same adverse circumstances. push the boat out colloq. celebrate lavishly. ЬЬboatful n. (pl. -fuls). [OE bat f. Gmc] boatel var. of BOTEL. boater n. a flat-topped hardened straw hat with a brim. boating n. rowing or sailing in boats as a sport or form of recreation. boatload n. 1 enough to fill a boat. 2 colloq. a large number of people. boatman n. (pl. -men) a person who hires out boats or provides transport by boat. boatswain n. (also bo'sun, bosun, bo's'n) a ship's officer in charge of equipment and the crew. Ьboatswain's chair a seat suspended from ropes for work on the side of a ship or building. [OE batswegen (as BOAT, SWAIN)] bob(1) v. & n. --v.intr. (bobbed, bobbing) 1 move quickly up and down; dance. 2 (usu. foll. by back, up) a bounce buoyantly. b emerge suddenly; become active or conspicuous again after a defeat etc. 3 curtsy. 4 (foll. by for) try to catch with the mouth alone (fruit etc. floating or hanging). --n. 1 a jerking or bouncing movement, esp. upward. 2 a curtsy. 3 one of several kinds of change in long peals in bell-ringing. [14th c.: prob. imit.] bob(2) n. & v. --n. 1 a short hairstyle for women and children. 2 a weight on a pendulum, plumb-line, or kite-tail. 3 = BOB-SLEIGH. 4 a horse's docked tail. 5 a short line at or towards the end of a stanza. 6 a knot of hair; a tassel-shaped curl. --v. (bobbed, bobbing) 1 tr. cut (a woman's or child's hair) so that it hangs clear of the shoulders. 2 intr. ride on a bob-sleigh. [ME: orig. unkn.] bob(3) n. (pl. same) Brit. sl. a former shilling (now = 5 decimal pence). [19th c.: orig. unkn.] bob(4) n. Ьbob's your uncle Brit. sl. an expression of completion or satisfaction. [pet-form of the name Robert] bobbin n. 1 a a cylinder or cone holding thread, yarn, wire, etc., used esp. in weaving and machine sewing. b a spool or reel. 2 a small bar and string for raising a door-latch. Ьbobbin-lace lace made by hand with thread wound on bobbins. [F bobine] bobbinet n. machine-made cotton net (imitating lace made with bobbins on a pillow). [BOBBIN + NET(1)] bobble n. a small woolly or tufted ball as a decoration or trimming. [dimin. of BOB(2)] bobby(1) n. (pl. -ies) Brit. colloq. a policeman. [Sir Robert Peel, Engl. statesman d. 1850, founder of the metropolitan police force] bobby(2) n. (pl. -ies) (in full bobby calf) Austral. & NZ an unweaned calf slaughtered for veal. [Eng. dial.] bobby-dazzler n. colloq. a remarkable or excellent person or thing. [dial., rel. to DAZZLE] bobby-pin n. US, Austral., & NZ a flat hairpin. [BOB(2) + -Y(2)] bobby socks n.pl. esp. US short socks reaching just above the ankle. bobcat n. a small N. American lynx, Felix rufus, with a spotted reddish-brown coat and a short tail. [BOB(2) + CAT] bobolink n. a N. American oriole, Dolichonyx oryzivorus. [orig. Bob (o') Lincoln: imit. of its call] bob-sled n. US = BOB-SLEIGH. bob-sleigh n. & v. --n. a mechanically-steered and -braked sledge used for racing down a steep ice-covered run. --v.intr. race in a bob-sleigh. [BOB(2) + SLEIGH] bobstay n. the chain or rope holding down a ship's bowsprit. [prob. BOB(1) + STAY(2)] bobtail n. a docked tail; a horse or a dog with a bobtail. [BOB(2) + TAIL(1)] bocage n. the representation of silvan scenery in ceramics. [F f. OF boscage: see BOSCAGE] Boche n. & adj. sl. derog. --n. 1 a German, esp. a soldier. 2 (prec. by the) Germans, esp. German soldiers, collectively. --adj. German. [F sl., orig. = rascal: applied to Germans in the war of 1914-18] bock n. a strong dark German beer. [F f. G abbr. of Eimbockbier f. Einbeck in Hanover] BOD abbr. biochemical oxygen demand. bod n. Brit. colloq. a person. [abbr. of BODY] bode v. 1 tr. portend, foreshow. 2 tr. foresee, foretell (evil). Ьbode well (or ill) show good (or bad) signs for the future. ЬЬboding n. [OE bodian f. boda messenger] bodega n. a cellar or shop selling wine and food, esp. in a Spanish-speaking country. [Sp. f. L apotheca f. Gk apotheke storehouse] bodge var. of BOTCH. Bodhisattva n. in Mahayana Buddhism, one who is able to reach nirvana but delays doing so through compassion for suffering beings. [Skr., = one whose essence is perfect knowledge] bodice n. 1 the part of a woman's dress (excluding sleeves) which is above the waist. 2 a woman's undergarment, like a vest, for the same part of the body. [orig. pair of bodies = stays, corsets] bodiless adj. 1 lacking a body. 2 incorporeal, insubstantial. bodily adj. & adv. --adj. of or concerning the body. --adv. 1 with the whole bulk; as a whole (threw them bodily). 2 in the body; as a person. bodkin n. 1 a blunt thick needle with a large eye used esp. for drawing tape etc. through a hem. 2 a long pin for fastening hair. 3 a small pointed instrument for piercing cloth, removing a piece of type for correction, etc. [ME perh. f. Celt.] body n. & v. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 the physical structure, including the bones, flesh, and organs, of a person or an animal, whether dead or alive. 2 the trunk apart from the head and the limbs. 3 a the main or central part of a thing (body of the car; body of the attack). b the bulk or majority; the aggregate (body of opinion). 4 a a group of persons regarded collectively, esp. as having a corporate function (governing body). b (usu. foll. by of) a collection (body of facts). 5 a quantity (body of water). 6 a piece of matter (heavenly body). 7 colloq. a person. 8 a full or substantial quality of flavour, tone, etc., e.g. in wine, musical sounds, etc. --v.tr. (-ies, -ied) (usu. foll. by forth) give body or substance to. Ьbody-blow a severe setback. body-building the practice of strengthening the body, esp. shaping and enlarging the muscles, by exercise. body-colour an opaque pigment. body language the process of communicating through conscious or unconscious gestures and poses. body-line bowling Cricket persistent fast bowling on the leg side threatening the batsman's body. body odour the smell of the human body, esp. when unpleasant. body politic the nation or State as a corporate body. body scanner a scanning X-ray machine for taking tomograms of the whole body. body shop a workshop where repairs to the bodywork of vehicles are carried out. body stocking a woman's undergarment, usually made of knitted nylon, which covers the torso. body warmer a sleeveless quilted or padded jacket worn as an outdoor garment. in a body all together. keep body and soul together keep alive, esp. barely. over my dead body colloq. entirely without my assent. ЬЬ-bodied adj. (in comb.) (able-bodied). [OE bodig, of unkn. orig.] body-check n. & v. Sport --n. a deliberate obstruction of one player by another. --v.tr. obstruct in this way. bodyguard n. a person or group of persons escorting and protecting another person (esp. a dignitary). bodywork n. the outer shell of a vehicle. Boer n. & adj. --n. a South African of Dutch descent. --adj. of or relating to the Boers. [Du.: see BOOR] boffin n. esp. Brit. colloq. a person engaged in scientific (esp. military) research. [20th c.: orig. unkn.] Bofors gun n. a type of light anti-aircraft gun. [Bofors in Sweden] bog n. & v. --n. 1 a wet spongy ground. b a stretch of such ground. 2 Brit. sl. a lavatory. --v.tr. (bogged, bogging) (foll. by down; usu. in passive) impede (was bogged down by difficulties). Ьbog-bean = BUCKBEAN. bog myrtle a deciduous shrub, Myrica gale, which grows in damp open places and has short upright catkins and aromatic grey-green leaves: also called sweet-gale (see GALE(2)). bog oak an ancient oak which has been preserved in a black state in peat. bog spavin see SPAVIN. bog-trotter sl. derog. an Irishman. ЬЬboggy adj. (boggier, boggiest). bogginess n. [Ir. or Gael. bogach f. bog soft] bogey(1) n. & v. Golf --n. (pl. -eys) 1 a score of one stroke more than par at any hole. 2 (formerly) a score that a good player should do a hole or course in; par. --v.tr. (-eys, -eyed) play (a hole) in one stroke more than par. [perh. f. Bogey as an imaginary player] bogey(2) n. (also bogy) (pl. -eys or -ies) 1 an evil or mischievous spirit; a devil. 2 an awkward thing or circumstance. 3 sl. a piece of dried nasal mucus. [19th c., orig. as a proper name: cf. BOGLE] bogeyman n. (also bogyman) (pl. -men) a person (real or imaginary) causing fear or difficulty. boggle v.intr. colloq. 1 be startled or baffled (esp. the mind boggles). 2 (usu. foll. by about, at) hesitate, demur. [prob. f. dial. boggle BOGEY(2)] bogie n. esp. Brit. 1 a wheeled undercarriage pivoted below the end of a rail vehicle. 2 a small truck used for carrying coal, rubble, etc. [19th-c. north. dial. word: orig. unkn.] bogle n. 1 = BOGEY(2). 2 a phantom. 3 a scarecrow. [orig. Sc. (16th c.), prob. rel. to BOGEY] bogus adj. sham, fictitious, spurious. ЬЬbogusly adv. bogusness n. [19th-c. US word: orig. unkn.] bogy var. of BOGEY(2). bogyman var. of BOGEYMAN. bohea n. a black China tea, the last crop of the season and usu. regarded as of low quality. [Bu-i (Wuyi) Hills in China] Bohemian n. & adj. --n. 1 a native of Bohemia, a former kingdom in central Europe corresponding to part of modern Czechoslovakia; Czech. 2 (also bohemian) a socially unconventional person, esp. an artist or writer. --adj. 1 of, relating to, or characteristic of Bohemia or its people. 2 socially unconventional. ЬЬbohemianism n. (in sense 2). [Bohemia + -AN: sense 2 f. F boh‚mien gypsy] boil(1) v. & n. --v. 1 intr. a (of a liquid) start to bubble up and turn into vapour; reach a temperature at which this happens. b (of a vessel) contain boiling liquid (the kettle is boiling). 2 a tr. bring (a liquid or vessel) to a temperature at which it boils. b tr. cook (food) by boiling. c intr. (of food) be cooked by boiling. d tr. subject to the heat of boiling water, e.g. to clean. 3 intr. a (of the sea etc.) undulate or seethe like boiling water. b (of a person or feelings) be greatly agitated, esp. by anger. --n. the act or process of boiling; boiling-point (on the boil; bring to the boil). Ьboil down 1 reduce volume by boiling. 2 reduce to essentials. 3 (foll. by to) amount to; signify basically. boiled shirt a dress shirt with a starched front. boiled sweet Brit. a sweet made of boiled sugar. boil over 1 spill over in boiling. 2 lose one's temper; become over-excited. make one's blood boil see BLOOD. [ME f. AF boiller, OF boillir, f. L bullire to bubble f. bulla bubble] boil(2) n. an inflamed pus-filled swelling caused by infection of a hair follicle etc. [OE byl(e) f. WG] boiler n. 1 a fuel-burning apparatus for heating a hot-water supply. 2 a tank for heating water, esp. for turning it to steam under pressure. 3 a metal tub for boiling laundry etc. 4 a fowl, vegetable, etc., suitable for cooking only by boiling. Ьboiler-room a room with a boiler and other heating equipment, esp. in the basement of a large building. boiler suit a one-piece suit worn as overalls for heavy manual work. boiling adj. (also boiling hot) colloq. very hot. boiling-point n. 1 the temperature at which a liquid starts to boil. 2 high excitement (feelings reached boiling-point). boisterous adj. 1 (of a person) rough; noisily exuberant. 2 (of the sea, weather, etc.) stormy, rough. ЬЬboisterously adv. boisterousness n. [var. of ME boist(u)ous, of unkn. orig.] bolas n. (as sing. or pl.) (esp. in S. America) a missile consisting of a number of balls connected by strong cord, which when thrown entangles the limbs of the quarry. [Sp. & Port., pl. of bola ball] bold adj. 1 confidently assertive; adventurous, courageous. 2 forthright, impudent. 3 vivid, distinct, well-marked (bold colours; a bold imagination). 4 Printing (in full bold-face or -faced) printed in a thick black typeface. Ьas bold as brass excessively bold or self-assured. make (or be) so bold as to presume to; venture to. ЬЬboldly adv. boldness n. [OE bald dangerous f. Gmc] bole(1) n. the stem or trunk of a tree. [ME f. ON bolr, perh. rel. to BALK(1)] bole(2) n. fine compact earthy clay. [LL BOLUS] bolero n. (pl. -os) 1 a a Spanish dance in simple triple time. b music for or in the time of a bolero. 2 also a woman's short open jacket. [Sp.] boll n. a rounded capsule containing seeds, esp. flax or cotton. Ьboll-weevil a small American or Mexican weevil, Anthonomus grandis, whose larvae destroy cotton bolls. [ME f. MDu. bolle: see BOWL(1)] bollard n. 1 Brit. a short metal, concrete, or plastic post in the road, esp. as part of a traffic island. 2 a short post on a quay or ship for securing a rope. [ME perh. f. ON bolr BOLE(1) + -ARD] bollocking n. coarse sl. a severe reprimand. bollocks n. (also ballocks) coarse sl. °Usually considered a taboo word. 1 the testicles. 2 (usu. as an exclam. of contempt) nonsense, rubbish. [OE bealluc, rel. to BALL(1)] bologna n. US = BOLOGNA SAUSAGE. Bologna sausage n. US a large smoked sausage made of bacon, veal, pork-suet, and other meats, and sold ready for eating. [Bologna in Italy] bolometer n. a sensitive electrical instrument for measuring radiant energy. ЬЬbolometry n. bolometric adj. [Gk bole ray + -METER] boloney n. (also baloney) (pl. -eys) sl. 1 humbug, nonsense. 2 = BOLOGNA SAUSAGE. [20th c.: orig. uncert.] Bolshevik n. & adj. --n. 1 hist. a member of the radical faction of the Russian socialist party, which became the communist party in 1918. 2 a Russian communist. 3 (in general use) any revolutionary socialist. --adj. 1 of, relating to, or characteristic of the Bolsheviks. 2 communist. ЬЬBolshevism n. Bolshevist n. [Russ., = a member of the majority, one who (in 1903) favoured extreme measures, f. bol' she greater] Bolshie adj. & n. (also Bolshy) sl. --adj. (usu. bolshie) 1 uncooperative, rebellious, awkward; bad-tempered. 2 left-wing, socialist. --n. (pl. -ies) a Bolshevik. ЬЬbolshiness n. (in sense 1 of adj.). [abbr.] bolster(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a long thick pillow. 2 a pad or support, esp. in a machine. 3 Building a short timber cap over a post to increase the bearing of the beams it supports. --v.tr. (usu. foll. by up) 1 encourage, reinforce (bolstered our morale). 2 support with a bolster; prop up. ЬЬbolsterer n. [OE f. Gmc] bolster(2) n. a chisel for cutting bricks. [20th c.: orig. uncert.] bolt(1) n., v., & adv. --n. 1 a sliding bar and socket used to fasten or lock a door, gate, etc. 2 a large usu. metal pin with a head, usu. riveted or used with a nut, to hold things together. 3 a discharge of lightning. 4 an act of bolting (cf. sense 4 of v.); a sudden escape or dash for freedom. 5 hist. an arrow for shooting from a crossbow. 6 a roll of fabric (orig. as a measure). --v. 1 tr. fasten or lock with a bolt. 2 tr. (foll. by in, out) keep (a person etc.) from leaving or entering by bolting a door. 3 tr. fasten together with bolts. 4 intr. a dash suddenly away, esp. to escape. b (of a horse) suddenly gallop out of control. 5 tr. gulp down (food) unchewed; eat hurriedly. 6 intr. (of a plant) run to seed. --adv. (usu. in bolt upright) rigidly, stiffly. Ьa bolt from the blue a complete surprise. bolt-hole 1 a means of escape. 2 a secret refuge. shoot one's bolt do all that is in one's power. ЬЬbolter n. (in sense 4 of v.). [OE bolt arrow] bolt(2) v.tr. (also boult) sift (flour etc.). ЬЬbolter n. [ME f. OF bulter, buleter, of unkn. orig.] bolus n. (pl. boluses) 1 a soft ball, esp. of chewed food. 2 a large pill. [LL f. Gk bolos clod] bomb n. & v. --n. 1 a a container with explosive, incendiary material, smoke, or gas etc., designed to explode on impact or by means of a time-mechanism or remote-control device. b an ordinary object fitted with an explosive device (letter-bomb). 2 (prec. by the) the atomic or hydrogen bomb considered as a weapon with supreme destructive power. 3 Brit. sl. a large sum of money (cost a bomb). 4 a mass of solidified lava thrown from a volcano. 5 US colloq. a bad failure (esp. a theatrical one). 6 sl. a drugged cigarette. 7 Med. = radium bomb. --v. 1 tr. attack with bombs; drop bombs on. 2 tr. (foll. by out) drive (a person etc.) out of a building or refuge by using bombs. 3 intr. throw or drop bombs. 4 intr. esp. US sl. fail badly. 5 intr. colloq. (usu. foll. by along, off) move or go very quickly. 6 tr. US sl. criticize fiercely. Ьbomb-bay a compartment in an aircraft used to hold bombs. bomb-disposal the defusing or removal and detonation of an unexploded bomb. bomb-sight a device in an aircraft for aiming bombs. bomb-site an area where buildings have been destroyed by bombs. go down a bomb colloq., often iron. be very well received. like a bomb Brit. colloq. 1 often iron. very successfully. 2 very fast. [F bombe f. It. bomba f. L bombus f. Gk bombos hum] bombard v.tr. 1 attack with a number of heavy guns or bombs. 2 (often foll. by with) subject to persistent questioning, abuse, etc. 3 Physics direct a stream of high-speed particles at (a substance). ЬЬbombardment n. [F bombarder f. bombarde f. med.L bombarda a stone-throwing engine: see BOMB] bombardier n. 1 Brit. a non-commissioned officer in the artillery. 2 US a member of a bomber crew responsible for sighting and releasing bombs. [F (as BOMBARD)] bombardon n. Mus. 1 a type of valved bass tuba. 2 an organ stop imitating this. [It. bombardone f. bombardo bassoon] bombasine var. of BOMBAZINE. bombast n. pompous or extravagant language. ЬЬbombastic adj. bombastically adv. [earlier bombace cotton wool f. F f. med.L bombax -acis alt. f. bombyx; see BOMBAZINE] Bombay duck n. a dried fish, esp. bummalo, usu. eaten with curried dishes. [corrupt. of bombil: see BUMMALO] bombazine (also bombasine) n. a twilled dress-material of worsted with or without an admixture of silk or cotton, esp., when black, formerly used for mourning. [F bombasin f. med.L bombacinum f. LL bombycinus silken f. bombyx -ycis silk or silkworm f. Gk bombux] bombe n. Cookery a dome-shaped dish or confection, freq. frozen. [F, = BOMB] bomber n. 1 an aircraft equipped to carry and drop bombs. 2 a person using bombs, esp. illegally. Ьbomber jacket a short leather or cloth jacket tightly gathered at the waist and cuffs. bombora n. Austral. a dangerous sea area where waves break over a submerged reef. [Aboriginal] bombproof adj. strong enough to resist the effects of blast from a bomb. bombshell n. 1 an overwhelming surprise or disappointment. 2 an artillery bomb. 3 sl. a very attractive woman (blonde bombshell). bona fide adj. & adv. --adj. genuine; sincere. --adv. genuinely; sincerely. [L, ablat. sing. of BONA FIDES] bona fides n. 1 esp. Law. an honest intention; sincerity. 2 (as pl.) colloq. documentary evidence of acceptability (his bona fides are in order). [L, = good faith] bonanza n. & adj. --n. 1 a source of wealth or prosperity. 2 a large output (esp. of a mine). 3 a prosperity; good luck. b a run of good luck. --adj. greatly prospering or productive. [orig. US f. Sp., = fair weather, f. L bonus good] bona vacantia n. Law goods without an apparent owner. [L, = ownerless goods] bon-bon n. a piece of confectionery; a sweet. [F f. bon good f. L bonus] bonce n. Brit. 1 sl. the head. 2 a large playing-marble. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] bond n. & v. --n. 1 a a thing that ties another down or together. b (usu. in pl.) a thing restraining bodily freedom (broke his bonds). 2 (often in pl.) a a uniting force (sisterly bond). b a restraint; a responsibility (bonds of duty). 3 a binding engagement; an agreement (his word is his bond). 4 Commerce a certificate issued by a government or a public company promising to repay borrowed money at a fixed rate of interest at a specified time; a debenture. 5 adhesiveness. 6 Law a deed by which a person is bound to make payment to another. 7 Chem. linkage between atoms in a molecule or a solid. 8 Building the laying of bricks in one of various patterns in a wall in order to ensure strength (English bond; Flemish bond). --v. 1 tr. a lay (bricks) overlapping. b bind together (resin with fibres, etc.). 2 intr. adhere; hold together. 3 tr. connect with a bond. 4 tr. place (goods) in bond. 5 intr. become emotionally attached. Ьbond paper high-quality writing-paper. bond-washing dividend-stripping. in bond (of goods) stored in a bonded warehouse until the importer pays the duty owing (see BONDED). [ME var. of BAND(1)] bondage n. 1 serfdom; slavery. 2 subjection to constraint, influence, obligation, etc. 3 sado-masochistic practices, including the use of physical restraints or mental enslavement. [ME f. AL bondagium: infl. by BOND] bonded adj. 1 (of goods) placed in bond. 2 (of material) reinforced by or cemented to another. 3 (of a debt) secured by bonds. Ьbonded warehouse a Customs-controlled warehouse for the retention of imported goods until the duty owed is paid. bondsman n. (pl. -men) 1 a slave. 2 a person in thrall to another. [var. of bondman (f. archaic bond in serfdom or slavery) as though f. bond's genitive of BOND(1)] bone n. & v. --n. 1 any of the pieces of hard tissue making up the skeleton in vertebrates. 2 (in pl.) a the skeleton, esp. as remains after death. b the body, esp. as a seat of intuitive feeling (felt it in my bones). 3 a the material of which bones consist. b a similar substance such as ivory, dentine, or whalebone. 4 a thing made of bone. 5 (in pl.) the essential part of a thing (the bare bones). 6 (in pl.) a dice. b castanets. 7 a strip of stiffening in a corset etc. --v. 1 tr. take out the bones from (meat or fish). 2 tr. stiffen (a garment) with bone etc. 3 tr. Brit. sl. steal. Ьbone china fine china made of clay mixed with the ash from bones. bone-dry quite dry. bone idle (or lazy) utterly idle or lazy. bone-meal crushed or ground bones used esp. as a fertilizer. bone of contention a source or ground of dispute. bone-setter a person who sets broken or dislocated bones, esp. without being a qualified surgeon. bone spavin see SPAVIN. bone up (often foll. by on) colloq. study (a subject) intensively. close to (or near) the bone 1 tactless to the point of offensiveness. 2 destitute; hard up. have a bone to pick (usu. foll. by with) have a cause for dispute (with another person). make no bones about 1 admit or allow without fuss. 2 not hesitate or scruple. point the bone (usu. foll. by at) Austral. 1 wish bad luck on. 2 cast a spell on in order to kill. to the bone 1 to the bare minimum. 2 penetratingly. work one's fingers to the bone work very hard, esp. thanklessly. ЬЬboneless adj. [OE ban f. Gmc] bonefish n. US any of several species of large game-fish, esp. Albula vulpes, having many small bones. bonehead n. sl. a stupid person. ЬЬboneheaded adj. boner n. sl. a stupid mistake. [BONE + -ER(1)] boneshaker n. 1 a decrepit or uncomfortable old vehicle. 2 an old type of bicycle with solid tyres. bonfire n. a large open-air fire for burning rubbish, as part of a celebration, or as a signal. ЬBonfire Night Brit. 5 Nov., on which fireworks are displayed and an effigy of Guy Fawkes burnt (see GUY(1)). make a bonfire of destroy by burning. [earlier bonefire f. BONE (bones being the chief material formerly used) + FIRE] bongo(1) n. (pl. -os or -oes) either of a pair of small long-bodied drums usu. held between the knees and played with the fingers. [Amer. Sp. bongў] bongo(2) n. (pl. same or -os) a rare antelope, Tragelaphus euryceros, native to the forests of central Africa, having spiralled horns and a chestnut-red coat with narrow white vertical stripes. [cf. Bangi mbangani, Lingala mongu] bonhomie n. geniality; good-natured friendliness. [F f. bonhomme good fellow] bonhomous adj. full of bonhomie. bonito n. (pl. -os) any of several tunny-like fish which are striped like mackerel and are common in tropical seas. [Sp.] bonk v. & n. --v. 1 tr. hit resoundingly. 2 intr. bang; bump. 3 coarse sl. a intr. have sexual intercourse. b tr. have sexual intercourse with. --n. an instance of bonking (a bonk on the head). ЬЬbonker n. [imit.: cf. BANG, BUMP(1), CONK(2)] bonkers adj. sl. crazy. [20th c.: orig. unkn.] bon mot n. (pl. bons mots pronunc. same or) a witty saying. [F] bonne bouche n. (pl. bonne bouches or bonnes bouches pronunc. same ) a titbit, esp. to end a meal with. [F f. bonne fem. good + bouche mouth] bonnet n. 1 a a woman's or child's hat tied under the chin and usu. with a brim framing the face. b a soft round brimless hat like a beret worn by men and boys in Scotland (cf. TAM-O'-SHANTER). c colloq. any hat. 2 Brit. a hinged cover over the engine of a motor vehicle. 3 the ceremonial feathered head-dress of an American Indian. 4 the cowl of a chimney etc. 5 a protective cap in various machines. 6 Naut. additional canvas laced to the foot of a sail. Ьbonnet monkey an Indian macaque, Macaca radiata, with a bonnet-like tuft of hair. ЬЬbonneted adj. [ME f. OF bonet short for chapel de bonet cap of some kind of material (med.L bonetus)] bonnethead n. = SHOVELHEAD. bonny adj. (bonnier, bonniest) esp. Sc. & N.Engl. 1 a physically attractive. b healthy-looking. 2 good, fine, pleasant. ЬЬbonnily adv. bonniness n. [16th c.: perh. f. F bon good] bonsai n. (pl. same) 1 the art of cultivating ornamental artificially dwarfed varieties of trees and shrubs. 2 a tree or shrub grown by this method. [Jap.] bonspiel n. esp. Sc. a curling-match (usu. between two clubs). [16th c.: perh. f. LG] bontebok n. (also bontbok) (pl. same or -boks) a large chestnut antelope, Damaliscus dorcas, native to southern Africa, having a white tail and a white patch on its head and rump. [Afrik. f. bont spotted + bok BUCK(1)] bonus n. 1 an unsought or unexpected extra benefit. 2 a a usu. seasonal gratuity to employees beyond their normal pay. b an extra dividend or issue paid to the shareholders of a company. c a distribution of profits to holders of an insurance policy. [L bonus, bonum good (thing)] bon vivant n. (pl. bon vivants or bons vivants pronunc. same) a person indulging in good living; a gourmand. [F, lit. good liver f. vivre to live] bon viveur n. (pl. bon viveurs or bons viveurs pronunc. same) = BON VIVANT. [pseudo-F] bon voyage int. & n. an expression of good wishes to a departing traveller. [F] bony adj. (bonier, boniest) 1 (of a person) thin with prominent bones. 2 having many bones. 3 of or like bone. 4 (of a fish) having bones rather than cartilage. ЬЬboniness n. bonze n. a Japanese or Chinese Buddhist priest. [F bonze or Port. bonzo perh. f. Jap. bonzo f. Chin. fanseng religious person, or f. Jap. bo-zi f. Chin. fasi teacher of the law] bonzer adj. Austral. sl. excellent, first-rate. [perh. f. BONANZA] boo int., n., & v. --int. 1 an expression of disapproval or contempt. 2 a sound, made esp. to a child, intended to surprise. --n. an utterance of boo, esp. as an expression of disapproval or contempt made to a performer etc. --v. (boos, booed) 1 intr. utter a boo or boos. 2 tr. jeer at (a performer etc.) by booing. Ьcan't (or wouldn't) say boo to a goose is very shy or timid. [imit.] boob(1) n. & v. sl. --n. 1 Brit. an embarrassing mistake. 2 a simpleton. --v.intr. Brit. make an embarrassing mistake. [abbr. of BOOBY] boob(2) n. sl. a woman's breast. Ьboob tube sl. 1 a woman's low-cut close-fitting usu. strapless top. 2 (usu. prec. by the) US television; one's television set. [earlier bubby, booby, of uncert. orig.] booboo n. sl. a mistake. [BOOB(1)] boobook n. Austral. a brown spotted owl, Ninox novae-seelandiae, native to Australia and New Zealand . [imit. of its call] booby n. (pl. -ies) 1 a stupid or childish person. 2 a small gannet of the genus Sula. Ьbooby-hatch esp. US sl. a mental hospital. booby prize a prize given to the least successful competitor in any contest. booby trap 1 a trap intended as a practical joke, e.g. an object placed on top of a door ajar. 2 Mil. an apparently harmless explosive device intended to kill or injure anyone touching it. booby-trap v.tr. place a booby trap or traps in or on. [prob. f. Sp. bobo (in both senses) f. L balbus stammering] boodle n. sl. money, esp. when gained or used dishonestly, e.g. as a bribe. [Du. boedel possessions] boogie v. & n. --v.intr. (boogies, boogied, boogying) sl. dance enthusiastically to pop music. --n. 1 = BOOGIE-WOOGIE. 2 sl. a dance to pop music. [BOOGIE-WOOGIE] boogie-woogie n. a style of playing blues or jazz on the piano, marked by a persistent bass rhythm. [20th c.: orig. unkn.] book n. & v. --n. 1 a a written or printed work consisting of pages glued or sewn together along one side and bound in covers. b a literary composition intended for publication (is working on her book). 2 a bound set of blank sheets for writing or keeping records in. 3 a set of tickets, stamps, matches, cheques, samples of cloth, etc., bound up together. 4 (in pl.) a set of records or accounts. 5 a main division of a literary work, or of the Bible (the Book of Deuteronomy). 6 (in full book of words) a libretto, script of a play, etc. 7 colloq. a magazine. 8 a telephone directory (his number's in the book). 9 a record of bets made and money paid out at a race meeting by a bookmaker. 10 a set of six tricks collected together in a card-game. 11 an imaginary record or list (the book of life). --v. 1 tr. a engage (a seat etc.) in advance; make a reservation of. b engage (a guest, supporter, etc.) for some occasion. 2 tr. a take the personal details of (an offender or rule-breaker). b enter in a book or list. 3 tr. issue a railway etc. ticket to. 4 intr. make a reservation (no need to book). Ьbook club a society which sells its members selected books on special terms. book-end a usu. ornamental prop used to keep a row of books upright. book in esp. Brit. register one's arrival at a hotel etc. book learning mere theory. book-plate a decorative label stuck in the front of a book bearing the owner's name. book-rest an adjustable support for an open book on a table. book token Brit. a voucher which can be exchanged for books to a specified value. book up 1 buy tickets in advance for a theatre, concert, holiday, etc. 2 (as booked up) with all places reserved. book value the value of a commodity as entered in a firm's books (opp. market value). bring to book call to account. closed (or sealed) book a subject of which one is ignorant. go by the book proceed according to the rules. the good Book the Bible. in a person's bad (or good) books in disfavour (or favour) with a person. in my book in my opinion. make a book take bets and pay out winnings at a race meeting. not in the book disallowed. on the books contained in a list of members etc. suits my book is convenient to me. take a leaf out of a person's book imitate a person. throw the book at colloq. charge or punish to the utmost. [OE boc, bocian, f. Gmc, usu. taken to be rel. to BEECH (the bark of which was used for writing on)] bookbinder n. a person who binds books professionally. ЬЬbookbinding n. bookcase n. a set of shelves for books in the form of a cabinet. bookie n. colloq. = BOOKMAKER. booking n. the act or an instance of booking or reserving a seat, a room in a hotel, etc.; a reservation (see BOOK v. 1). Ьbooking-clerk an official selling tickets at a railway station. booking-hall (or -office) Brit. a room or area at a railway station in which tickets are sold. bookish adj. 1 studious; fond of reading. 2 acquiring knowledge from books rather than practical experience. 3 (of a word, language, etc.) literary; not colloquial. ЬЬbookishly adv. bookishness n. bookkeeper n. a person who keeps accounts for a trader, a public office, etc. ЬЬbookkeeping n. bookland n. hist. an area of common land granted by charter to a private owner. booklet n. a small book consisting of a few sheets usu. with paper covers. bookmaker n. a person who takes bets, esp. on horse-races, calculates odds, and pays out winnings. ЬЬbookmaking n. bookman n. (pl. -men) a literary man, esp. a reviewer. bookmark n. (also bookmarker) a strip of leather, card, etc., used to mark one's place in a book. bookmobile n. US a mobile library. [after AUTOMOBILE] bookseller n. a dealer in books. bookshop n. a shop where books are sold. bookstall n. a stand for selling books, newspapers, etc., esp. out of doors or at a station. bookstore n. US = BOOKSHOP. booksy adj. colloq. having literary or bookish pretensions. bookwork n. the study of books (as opposed to practical work). bookworm n. 1 colloq. a person devoted to reading. 2 the larva of a moth or beetle which feeds on the paper and glue used in books. Boolean adj. denoting a system of algebraic notation to represent logical propositions. ЬBoolean logic the use of the logical operators 'and', 'or', and 'not' in retrieving information from a computer database. [G. Boole, Engl. mathematician d. 1864] boom(1) n. & v. --n. a deep resonant sound. --v.intr. make or speak with a boom. [imit.] boom(2) n. & v. --n. a period of prosperity or sudden activity in commerce. --v.intr. (esp. of commercial ventures) be suddenly prosperous or successful. Ьboom town a town undergoing sudden growth due to a boom. ЬЬboomlet n. [19th-c. US word, perhaps f. BOOM(1) (cf. make things hum)] boom(3) n. 1 Naut. a pivoted spar to which the foot of a sail is attached, allowing the angle of the sail to be changed. 2 a long pole over a film or television set, carrying microphones and other equipment. 3 a floating barrier across the mouth of a harbour or river. [Du., = BEAM n.] boomer n. 1 a large male kangaroo. 2 a N. American mountain beaver, Aplodontia rufa. 3 a large wave. boomerang n. & v. --n. 1 a curved flat hardwood missile used by Australian Aboriginals to kill prey, and often of a kind able to return in flight to the thrower. 2 a plan or scheme that recoils on its originator. --v.intr. 1 act as a boomerang. 2 (of a plan or action) backfire. [Aboriginal name, perh. modified] boomslang n. a large venomous tree-snake, Dispholidus typus, native to southern Africa. [Afrik. f. boom tree + slang snake] boon(1) n. 1 an advantage; a blessing. 2 archaic a a thing asked for; a request. b a gift; a favour. [ME, orig. = prayer, f. ON bўn f. Gmc] boon(2) adj. close, intimate, favourite (usu. boon companion). [ME (orig. = jolly, congenial) f. OF bon f. L bonus good] boondock n. (usu. in pl.) US sl. rough or isolated country. [Tagalog bundok mountain] boor n. 1 a rude, ill-mannered person. 2 a clumsy person. ЬЬboorish adj. boorishly adv. boorishness n. [LG bur or Du. boer farmer: cf. BOWER(3)] boost v. & n. colloq. --v.tr. 1 a promote or increase the reputation of (a person, scheme, commodity, etc.) by praise or advertising; push; increase or assist (boosted his spirits; boost sales). b push from below; assist (boosted me up the tree). 2 a raise the voltage in (an electric circuit etc.). b amplify (a radio signal). --n. 1 an act, process, or result of boosting; a push (asked for a boost up the hill). 2 a an advertisement campaign. b the resulting advance in value, reputation, etc. [19th-c. US word: orig. unkn.] booster n. 1 a device for increasing electrical power or voltage. 2 an auxiliary engine or rocket used to give initial acceleration. 3 Med. a dose of an immunizing agent increasing or renewing the effect of an earlier one. 4 a person who boosts by helping or encouraging. boot(1) n. & v. --n. 1 an outer covering for the foot, esp. of leather, reaching above the ankle, often to the knee. 2 Brit. the luggage compartment of a motor car, usu. at the rear. 3 colloq. a firm kick. 4 (prec. by the) colloq. dismissal, esp. from employment (gave them the boot). 5 a covering to protect the lower part of a horse's leg. 6 hist. an instrument of torture encasing and crushing the foot. --v.tr. 1 kick, esp. hard. 2 (often foll. by out) dismiss (a person) forcefully. 3 (usu. foll. by up) put (a computer) in a state of readiness (cf. BOOTSTRAP 2). Ьthe boot is on the other foot (or leg) the truth or responsibility is the other way round. die with one's boots on (of a soldier etc.) die fighting. put the boot in 1 kick brutally. 2 act decisively against a person. you bet your boots sl. it is quite certain. ЬЬbooted adj. [ME f. ON bўti or f. OF bote, of unkn. orig.] boot(2) n. Ьto boot as well; to the good; in addition. [orig. = 'advantage': OE bot f. Gmc] bootblack n. US a person who polishes boots and shoes. bootee n. 1 a soft shoe, esp. a woollen one, worn by a baby. 2 a woman's short boot. booth n. 1 a small temporary roofed structure of canvas, wood, etc., used esp. as a market stall, for puppet shows, etc. 2 an enclosure or compartment for various purposes, e.g. telephoning or voting. 3 a set of a table and benches in a restaurant or bar. [ME f. Scand.] bootjack n. a device for holding a boot by the heel to ease withdrawal of the leg. bootlace n. a cord or leather thong for lacing boots. bootleg adj. & v. --adj. (esp. of liquor) smuggled; illicitly sold. --v.tr. (-legged, -legging) make, distribute, or smuggle illicit goods (esp. alcohol). ЬЬbootlegger n. [f. the smugglers' practice of concealing bottles in their boots] bootless adj. archaic unavailing, useless. [OE botleas (as BOOT(2), LESS)] bootlicker n. colloq. a person who behaves obsequiously or servilely; a toady. boots n. Brit. a hotel servant who cleans boots and shoes, carries luggage. etc. bootstrap n. 1 a loop at the back of a boot used to pull it on. 2 Computing a technique of loading a program into a computer by means of a few initial instructions which enable the introduction of the rest of the program from an input device. Ьpull oneself up by one's bootstraps better oneself by one's own efforts. booty n. 1 plunder gained esp. in war or by piracy. 2 colloq. something gained or won. [ME f. MLG bute, buite exchange, of uncert. orig.] booze n. & v. colloq. --n. 1 alcoholic drink. 2 the drinking of this (on the booze). --v.intr. drink alcoholic liquor, esp. excessively or habitually. Ьbooze-up sl. a drinking bout. [earlier bouse, bowse, f. MDu. busen drink to excess] boozer n. colloq. 1 a person who drinks alcohol, esp. to excess. 2 Brit. a public house. boozy adj. (boozier, booziest) colloq. intoxicated; addicted to drink. ЬЬboozily adv. booziness n. bop(1) n. & v. colloq. --n. 1 = BEBOP. 2 a a spell of dancing, esp. to pop music. b an organized social occasion for this. --v.intr. (bopped, bopping) dance, esp. to pop music. ЬЬbopper n. [abbr. of BEBOP] bop(2) v. & n. colloq. --v.tr. (bopped, bopping) hit, punch lightly. --n. a light blow or hit. [imit.] bo-peep n. a game of hiding and suddenly reappearing, played with a young child. [BO(1) + PEEP(1)] bora(1) n. a strong cold dry NE wind blowing in the upper Adriatic. [It. dial. f. L boreas north wind: see BOREAL] bora(2) n. Austral. an Aboriginal rite in which boys are initiated into manhood. [Aboriginal] boracic adj. of borax; containing boron. Ьboracic acid = boric acid. [med.L borax -acis] borage n. any plant of the genus Borago, esp. Borago officinalis with bright blue flowers and leaves used as flavouring. [OF bourrache f. med.L borrago f. Arab. ' abu ' arak father of sweat (from its use as a diaphoretic)] borak n. Austral. & NZ sl. banter, ridicule. [Aboriginal Austral.] borane n. Chem. any hydride of boron. borate n. a salt or ester of boric acid. borax n. 1 the mineral salt sodium borate, occurring in alkaline deposits as an efflorescence or as crystals. 2 the purified form of this salt, used in making glass and china, and as an antiseptic. [ME f. OF boras f. med.L borax f. Arab. burak f. Pers. burah] borazon n. a hard form of boron nitride, resistant to oxidation. [BORON + AZO- nitrogen + -on] borborygmus n. (pl. borborygmi) a rumbling of gas in the intestines. ЬЬborborygmic adj. [mod.L f. Gk] Bordeaux n. (pl. same) any of various red, white, or ros‚ wines from the district of Bordeaux in SW France. ЬBordeaux mixture a fungicide for vines, fruit-trees, etc., composed of equal quantities of copper sulphate and calcium oxide in water. bordello n. (pl. -os) esp. US a brothel. [ME (f. It. bordello) f. OF bordel small farm, dimin. of borde ult. f. Frank.: see BOARD] border n. & v. --n. 1 the edge or boundary of anything, or the part near it. 2 a the line separating two political or geographical areas, esp. countries. b the district on each side of this. c (the Border) a particular boundary and its adjoining districts, esp. between Scotland and England (usu. the Borders), or N. Ireland and the Irish Republic. 3 a distinct edging round anything, esp. for strength or decoration. 4 a long narrow bed of flowers or shrubs in a garden (herbaceous border). --v. 1 tr. be a border to. 2 tr. provide with a border. 3 intr. (usu. foll. by on, upon) a adjoin; come close to being. b approximate, resemble. ЬBorder collie a common working sheepdog of the North Country. Border terrier 1 a small terrier of a breed with rough hair. 2 this breed. [ME f. OF bordure: cf. BOARD] borderer n. a person who lives near a border, esp. that between Scotland and England. borderland n. 1 the district near a border. 2 an intermediate condition between two extremes. 3 an area for debate. borderline n. & adj. --n. 1 the line dividing two (often extreme) conditions. 2 a line marking a boundary. --adj. 1 on the borderline. 2 verging on an extreme condition; only just acceptable. bordure n. Heraldry a border round the edge of a shield. [ME form of BORDER] bore(1) v. & n. --v. 1 tr. make a hole in, esp. with a revolving tool. 2 tr. hollow out (a tube etc.). 3 tr. a make (a hole) by boring or excavation. b make (one's way) through a crowd etc. 4 intr. (of an athlete, racehorse, etc.) push another competitor out of the way. 5 intr. drill a well (for oil etc.). --n. 1 the hollow of a firearm barrel or of a cylinder in an internal-combustion engine. 2 the diameter of this; the calibre. 3 = BOREHOLE. [OE borian f. Gmc] bore(2) n. & v. --n. a tiresome or dull person or thing. --v.tr. weary by tedious talk or dullness. Ьbore a person to tears weary (a person) in the extreme. [18th c.: orig. unkn.] bore(3) n. a high tidal wave rushing up a narrow estuary. Also called EAGRE. [ME, perh. f. ON b ra wave] bore(4) past of BEAR(1). boreal adj. 1 of the North or northern regions. 2 of the north wind. [ME f. F bor‚al or LL borealis f. L Boreas f. Gk Boreas god of the north wind] boredom n. the state of being bored; ennui. borehole n. 1 a deep narrow hole, esp. one made in the earth to find water, oil, etc. 2 Austral. a water-hole for cattle. borer n. 1 any of several worms, molluscs, insects, or insect larvae which bore into wood, other plant material, and rock. 2 a tool for boring. boric adj. of or containing boron. Ьboric acid an acid derived from borax, used as a mild antiseptic and in the manufacture of heat-resistant glass and enamels. boring adj. that makes one bored; uninteresting, tedious, dull. ЬЬboringly adv. boringness n. born adj. 1 existing as a result of birth. 2 a being such or likely to become such by natural ability or quality (a born leader). b (usu. foll. by to + infin.) having a specified destiny or prospect (born lucky; born to be king; born to lead men). 3 (in comb.) of a certain status by birth (French-born; well-born). Ьborn-again (attrib.) converted (esp. to fundamentalist Christianity). born and bred by birth and upbringing. in all one's born days colloq. in one's life so far. not born yesterday colloq. not stupid; shrewd. [past part. of BEAR(1)] borne 1 past part. of BEAR(1). 2 (in comb.) carried or transported by (airborne). born‚ adj. 1 narrow-minded; of limited ideas. 2 having limitations. [F] Bornholm's disease n. a viral infection with fever and pain in the muscles of the ribs. [Bornholm in Denmark] boro- comb. form indicating salts containing boron. boron n. Chem. a non-metallic yellow crystalline or brown amorphous element extracted from borax and boracic acid and mainly used for hardening steel. °Symb.: B. [BORAX + - on f. carbon (which it resembles in some respects)] boronia n. Austral. any sweet-scented shrub of the genus Boronia. [F. Borone, It. botanist d. 1794] borosilicate n. any of many substances containing boron, silicon, and oxygen generally used in glazes and enamels and in the production of glass. borough n. 1 Brit. a a town represented in the House of Commons. b a town or district granted the status of a borough. 2 Brit. hist. a town with a municipal corporation and privileges conferred by a royal charter. 3 US a municipal corporation in certain States. 4 US each of five divisions of New York City. 5 US (in Alaska) a county. [OE burg, burh f. Gmc: cf. BURGH] borrow v. 1 a tr. acquire temporarily with the promise or intention of returning. b intr. obtain money in this way. 2 tr. use (an idea, invention, etc.) originated by another; plagiarize. 3 intr. Golf a play the ball uphill so that it rolls back towards the hole. b allow for the wind or a slope. Ьborrowed time an unexpected extension esp. of life. ЬЬborrower n. borrowing n. [OE borgian give a pledge] borsch var. of BORTSCH. Borstal n. Brit. hist. an institution for reforming and training young offenders. °Now replaced by detention centre and youth custody centre. [Borstal in S. England, where the first of these was established] bort n. (also boart) 1 an inferior or malformed diamond, used for cutting. 2 fragments of diamonds produced in cutting. [Du. boort] bortsch n. (also borsch) a highly seasoned Russian or Polish soup with various ingredients including beetroot and cabbage and served with sour cream. [Russ. borshch] borzoi n. 1 a large Russian wolfhound of a breed with a narrow head and silky, usu. white, coat. 2 this breed. [Russ. f. borzyi swift] boscage n. (also boskage) 1 masses of trees or shrubs. 2 wooded scenery. [ME f. OF boscage f. Gmc: cf. BUSH(1)] bosh n. & int. sl. nonsense; foolish talk. [Turk. bos empty] bosky adj. (boskier, boskiest) literary wooded, bushy. [ME bosk thicket] bo's'n var. of BOATSWAIN. bosom n. 1 a a person's breast or chest, esp. a woman's. b colloq. each of a woman's breasts. c the enclosure formed by a person's breast and arms. 2 an emotional centre, esp. as the source of an enfolding relationship (in the bosom of one's family). 3 the part of a woman's dress covering the breast. Ьbosom friend a very close or intimate friend. [OE bosm f. Gmc] bosomy adj. (of a woman) having large breasts. boson n. Physics any of several elementary particles obeying the relations stated by Bose and Einstein, with a zero or integral spin, e.g. photons (cf. FERMION). [S. N. Bose, Ind. physicist d. 1974] boss(1) n. & v. colloq. --n. 1 a person in charge; an employer, manager, or overseer. 2 US a person who controls or dominates a political organization. --v.tr. 1 (usu. foll. by about, around) treat domineeringly; give constant peremptory orders to. 2 be the master or manager of. [orig. US: f. Du. baas master] boss(2) n. 1 a round knob, stud, or other protuberance, esp. on the centre of a shield or in ornamental work. 2 Archit. a piece of ornamental carving etc. covering the point where the ribs in a vault or ceiling cross. 3 Geol. a large mass of igneous rock. 4 Mech. an enlarged part of a shaft. [ME f. OF boce f. Rmc] bossa nova n. 1 a dance like the samba, originating in Brazil. 2 a piece of music for this or in its rhythm. [Port., = new flair] boss-eyed adj. Brit. colloq. 1 having only one good eye; cross-eyed. 2 crooked; out of true. [dial. boss miss, bungle] boss-shot n. Brit. dial. & sl. 1 a bad shot or aim. 2 an unsuccessful attempt. [as BOSS-EYED] bossy adj. (bossier, bossiest) colloq. domineering; tending to boss. Ьbossy-boots colloq. a domineering person. ЬЬbossily adv. bossiness n. bosun (also bo'sun) var. of BOATSWAIN. bot n. (also bott) any of various parasitic larvae of flies of the family Oestridae, infesting horses, sheep, etc. Ьbot-fly (pl. -flies) any dipterous fly of the genus Oestrus, with stout hairy bodies. [prob. of LG orig.] bot. abbr. 1 bottle. 2 botanic; botanical; botany. 3 bought. botanize v.intr. (also -ise) study plants, esp. in their habitat. Botany n. (in full Botany wool) merino wool, esp. from Australia. [Botany Bay, New S. Wales, named from the variety of its flora] botany n. 1 the study of the physiology, structure, genetics, ecology, distribution, classification, and economic importance of plants. 2 the plant life of a particular area or time. ЬЬbotanic adj. botanical adj. botanically adv. botanist n. [botanic f. F botanique or LL botanicus f. Gk botanikos f. botane plant] botch v. & n. (also bodge) --v.tr. 1 bungle; do badly. 2 patch or repair clumsily. --n. bungled or spoilt work (made a botch of it). ЬЬbotcher n. [ME: orig. unkn.] botel n. (also boatel) a waterside hotel with facilities for mooring boats. [blend of BOAT and HOTEL] both adj., pron., & adv. --adj. & pron. the two, not only one (both boys; both the boys; both of the boys; the boys are both here). °Widely used with of, esp. when followed by a pronoun (e.g. both of us) or a noun implying separate rather than collective consideration, e.g. both of the boys suggests each boy rather than the two together. --adv. with equal truth in two cases (both the boy and his sister are here; are both here and hungry). Ьboth ways = each way. have it both ways alternate between two incompatible points of view to suit the needs of the moment. [ME f. ON b thir] bother v., n., & int. --v. 1 tr. a give trouble to; worry, disturb. b refl. (often foll. by about) be anxious or concerned. 2 intr. a (often foll. by about, or to + infin.) worry or trouble oneself (don't bother about that; didn't bother to tell me). b (foll. by with) be concerned. --n. 1 a a person or thing that bothers or causes worry. b a minor nuisance. 2 trouble, worry, fuss. --int. esp. Brit. expressing annoyance or impatience. Ьcannot be bothered will not make the effort needed. [Ir. bodhraim deafen] botheration n. & int. colloq. = BOTHER n., int. bothersome adj. causing bother; troublesome. bothy n. (also bothie) (pl. -ies) Sc. a small hut or cottage, esp. one for housing labourers. [18th c.: orig. unkn.: perh. rel. to BOOTH] bo-tree n. the Indian fig-tree, Ficus religiosa, regarded as sacred by Buddhists. Also called PIPAL or PEEPUL. [repr. Sinh. bogaha tree of knowledge (Buddha's enlightenment having occurred beneath such a tree)] bott var. of BOT. bottle n. & v. --n. 1 a container, usu. of glass or plastic and with a narrow neck, for storing liquid. 2 the amount that will fill a bottle. 3 a baby's feeding-bottle. 4 = hot-water bottle. 5 a metal cylinder for liquefied gas. 6 Brit. sl. courage, confidence. --v.tr. 1 put into bottles or jars. 2 preserve (fruit etc.) in jars. 3 (foll. by up) a conceal or restrain for a time (esp. a feeling). b keep (an enemy force etc.) contained or entrapped. 4 (as bottled adj.) sl. drunk. Ьbottle bank a place where used bottles may be deposited for recycling. bottle-brush 1 a cylindrical brush for cleaning inside bottles. 2 any of various plants with a flower of this shape. bottle-green a dark shade of green. bottle party a party to which guests bring bottles of drink. bottle tree any of various Australian trees of the genus Brachychiton with a swollen bottle-shaped trunk. hit the bottle sl. drink heavily. on the bottle sl. drinking (alcoholic drink) heavily. ЬЬbottleful n. (pl. -fuls). [ME f. OF botele, botaille f. med.L butticula dimin. of LL buttis BUTT(4)] bottle-feed v.tr. (past and past part. -fed) feed (a baby) with milk by means of a bottle. bottleneck n. 1 a point at which the flow of traffic, production, etc., is constricted. 2 a narrow place causing constriction. bottlenose n. (also bottlenosed) a swollen nose. Ьbottlenose dolphin a dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, with a bottle-shaped snout. bottler n. 1 a person who bottles drinks etc. 2 Austral. & NZ sl. an excellent person or thing. bottom n., adj., & v. --n. 1 a the lowest point or part (bottom of the stairs). b the part on which a thing rests (bottom of a saucepan). c the underneath part (scraped the bottom of the car). d the furthest or inmost part (bottom of the garden). 2 colloq. a the buttocks. b the seat of a chair etc. 3 a the less honourable, important, or successful end of a table, a class, etc. (at the bottom of the list of requirements). b a person occupying this place (he's always bottom of the class). 4 the ground under the water of a lake, a river, etc. (swam until he touched the bottom). 5 the basis; the origin (he's at the bottom of it). 6 the essential character; reality. 7 Naut. a the keel or hull of a ship. b a ship, esp. as a cargo-carrier. 8 staying power; endurance. --adj. 1 lowest (bottom button). 2 last (got the bottom score). --v. 1 tr. put a bottom to (a chair, saucepan, etc.). 2 intr. (of a ship) reach or touch the bottom. 3 tr. find the extent or real nature of; work out. 4 tr. (usu. foll. by on) base (an argument etc.) (reasoning bottomed on logic). 5 tr. touch the bottom or lowest point of. Ьat bottom basically, essentially. be at the bottom of have caused. bet one's bottom dollar sl. stake all. bottom dog = UNDERDOG. bottom drawer Brit. linen etc. stored by a woman in preparation for her marriage. bottom falls out collapse occurs. bottom gear see GEAR. bottom line colloq. the underlying or ultimate truth; the ultimate, esp. financial, criterion. bottom out reach the lowest level. bottoms up! a call to drain one's glass. bottom up upside-down. get to the bottom of fully investigate and explain. knock the bottom out of prove (a thing) worthless. ЬЬbottommost adj. [OE botm f. Gmc] bottomless adj. 1 without a bottom. 2 (of a supply etc.) inexhaustible. bottomry n. & v. Naut. --n. a system of using a ship as security against a loan to finance a voyage, the lender losing his or her money if the ship sinks. --v.tr. (-ies, -ied) pledge (a ship) in this way. [BOTTOM = ship + -RY, after Du. bodemerij] botulism n. poisoning caused by a toxin produced by the bacillus Clostridium botulinum growing in poorly preserved food. [G Botulismus f. L botulus sausage] boucl‚ n. 1 a looped or curled yarn (esp. wool). 2 a fabric, esp. knitted, made of this. [F, = buckled, curled] boudoir n. a woman's small private room or bedroom. [F, lit. sulking-place f. bouder sulk] bouffant adj. (of a dress, hair, etc.) puffed out. [F] bougainvillaea n. any tropical widely cultivated plant of the genus Bougainvillaea, with large coloured bracts (usu. purple, red, or white) almost concealing the inconspicuous flowers. [L. A. de Bougainville, Fr. navigator d. 1811] bough n. a branch of a tree, esp. a main one. [OE bog, boh f. Gmc] bought past and past part. of BUY. boughten adj. US or dial. bought at a shop, not home-made. [var. of past part. of BUY] bougie n. 1 Med. a thin flexible surgical instrument for exploring, dilating, etc. the passages of the body. 2 a wax candle. [F f. Arab. Bujiya Algerian town with a wax trade] bouillabaisse n. Cookery a rich, spicy fish-stew, orig. from Provence. [F] bouilli n. Cookery stewed or boiled meat. [F, = boiled] bouillon n. thin soup; broth. [F f. bouillir to boil] boulder n. a large stone worn smooth by erosion. Ьboulder-clay Geol. a mixture of boulders etc. formed by deposition from massive bodies of melting ice, to give distinctive glacial formations. [short for boulderstone, ME f. Scand.] boule(1) n. (also boules pronunc. same) a French form of bowls, played on rough ground with usu. metal balls. [F, = BOWL(2)] boule(2) n. a legislative body of an ancient Greek city or of modern Greece. [Gk boule senate] boule(3) var. of BUHL. boules var. of BOULE(1). boulevard n. 1 a broad tree-lined avenue. 2 esp. US a broad main road. [F f. G Bollwerk BULWARK, orig. of a promenade on a demolished fortification] boulle var. of BUHL. boult var. of BOLT(2). bounce v. & n. --v. 1 a intr. (of a ball etc.) rebound. b tr. cause to rebound. c tr. & intr. bounce repeatedly. 2 intr. sl. (of a cheque) be returned by a bank when there are insufficient funds to meet it. 3 intr. a (foll. by about, up) (of a person, dog, etc.) jump or spring energetically. b (foll. by in, out, etc.) rush noisily, angrily, enthusiastically, etc. (bounced into the room; bounced out in a temper). 4 tr. colloq. (usu. foll. by into + verbal noun) hustle, persuade (bounced him into signing). 5 intr. colloq. talk boastfully. 6 tr. sl. eject forcibly (from a dancehall, club, etc.). --n. 1 a a rebound. b the power of rebounding (this ball has a good bounce). 2 colloq. a swagger, self-confidence (has a lot of bounce). b liveliness. 3 sl. an ejection. Ьbounce back regain one's good health, spirits, prosperity, etc. [ME bunsen beat, thump, (perh. imit.), or f. LG bunsen, Du. bons thump] bouncer n. 1 sl. a person employed to eject troublemakers from a dancehall, club, etc. 2 Cricket = BUMPER. bouncing adj. 1 (esp. of a baby) big and healthy. 2 boisterous. bouncy adj. (bouncier, bounciest) 1 (of a ball etc.) that bounces well. 2 cheerful and lively. 3 resilient, springy (a bouncy sofa). ЬЬbouncily adv. bounciness n. bound(1) v. & n. --v.intr. 1 a spring, leap (bounded out of bed). b walk or run with leaping strides. 2 (of a ball etc.) recoil from a wall or the ground; bounce. --n. 1 a springy movement upwards or outwards; a leap. 2 a bounce. Ьby leaps and bounds see LEAP. [F bond, bondir (orig. of sound) f. LL bombitare f. L bombus hum] bound(2) n. & v. --n. (usu. in pl.) 1 a limitation; a restriction (beyond the bounds of possibility). 2 a border of a territory; a boundary. --v.tr. 1 (esp. in passive; foll. by by) set bounds to; limit (views bounded by prejudice). 2 be the boundary of. Ьout of bounds 1 outside the part of a school etc. in which one is allowed to be. 2 beyond what is acceptable; forbidden. [ME f. AF bounde, OF bonde etc., f. med.L bodina, earlier butina, of unkn. orig.] bound(3) adj. 1 (usu. foll. by for) ready to start or having started (bound for stardom). 2 (in comb.) moving in a specified direction (northbound; outward bound). [ME f. ON bЈinn past part. of bЈa get ready: -d euphonic, or partly after BIND(1)] bound(4) past and past part. of BIND. Ьbound to certain to (he's bound to come). boundary n. (pl. -ies) 1 a line marking the limits of an area, territory, etc. (the fence is the boundary; boundary between liberty and licence). 2 Cricket a hit crossing the limits of the field, scoring 4 or 6 runs. Ьboundary layer the fluid immediately surrounding an object that is immersed and moving. boundary rider Austral. & NZ a person employed to ride round the fences etc. of a cattle or sheep station and keep them in good order. boundary umpire (in Australian Rules) an umpire on the sidelines who signals when the ball is out. [dial. bounder f. BOUND(2) + -ER(1) perh. after limitary] bounden adj. archaic obligatory. Ьbounden duty solemn responsibility. [archaic past part. of BIND] bounder n. colloq. or joc. a cad; an ill-bred person. boundless adj. unlimited; immense (boundless enthusiasm). ЬЬboundlessly adv. boundlessness n. bounteous adj. poet. 1 generous, liberal. 2 freely given (bounteous affection). ЬЬbounteously adv. bounteousness n. [ME f. OF bontif f. bont‚ BOUNTY after plenteous] bountiful adj. 1 = BOUNTEOUS. 2 ample. ЬLady Bountiful a charitable but patronizing lady of a neighbourhood (after a character in Farquhar's Beaux' Stratagem, 1707). ЬЬbountifully adv. [BOUNTY + -FUL] bounty n. (pl. -ies) 1 liberality; generosity. 2 a gift or reward, made usu. by the State, esp.: a a sum paid for a valiant act. b a sum paid to encourage a trading enterprise etc. c a sum paid to army or navy recruits on enlistment. Ьbounty-hunter a person who pursues a criminal or seeks an achievement for the sake of the reward. King's (or Queen's) bounty hist. a grant made to a mother of triplets. [ME f. OF bont‚ f. L bonitas -tatis f. bonus good] bouquet n. 1 a bunch of flowers, esp. for carrying at a wedding or other ceremony. 2 the scent of wine etc. 3 a favourable comment; a compliment. Ьbouquet garni Cookery a bunch of herbs used for flavouring stews etc. [F f. dial. var. of OF bos, bois wood] Bourbon n. 1 a chocolate-flavoured biscuit with chocolate-cream filling. 2 US a reactionary. [the Bourbon family, whose descendants founded dynasties in France and Spain] bourbon n. US whisky distilled from maize and rye. [Bourbon County, Kentucky, where it was first made] bourdon n. Mus. 1 a low-pitched stop in an organ or harmonium. 2 the lowest bell in a peal of bells. 3 the drone pipe of a bagpipe. [F, = bagpipe-drone, f. Rmc, imit.] bourgeois adj. & n. often derog. --adj. 1 a conventionally middle-class. b humdrum, unimaginative. c selfishly materialistic. 2 upholding the interests of the capitalist class; non-communist. --n. a bourgeois person. [F: see BURGESS] bourgeoisie n. 1 the capitalist class. 2 the middle class. [F] bourn(1) n. a small stream. [ME: S. Engl. var. of BURN(2)] bourn(2) n. (also bourne) archaic 1 a goal; a destination. 2 a limit. [F borne f. OF bodne BOUND(2)] bourr‚e n. 1 a lively French dance like a gavotte. 2 the music for this dance. [F] bourse n. 1 (Bourse) the Paris equivalent of the Stock Exchange. 2 a money-market. [F, = purse, f. med.L bursa: cf. PURSE(1)] boustrophedon adj. & adv. (of written words) from right to left and from left to right in alternate lines. [Gk (adv.) = as an ox turns in ploughing f. bous ox + -strophos turning] bout n. (often foll. by of) 1 a a limited period (of intensive work or exercise). b a drinking session. c a period (of illness) (a bout of flu). 2 a a wrestling- or boxing-match. b a trial of strength. [16th c.: app. the same as obs. bought bending] boutique n. a small shop or department of a store, selling (esp. fashionable) clothes or accessories. [F, = small shop, f. L (as BODEGA)] boutonniЉre n. a spray of flowers worn in a buttonhole. [F] bouzouki n. a Greek form of mandolin. [mod. Gk] bovate n. hist. a measure of land, as much as one ox could plough in a year, varying from 10 to 18 acres. [med.L bovata f. L bos bovis ox] bovine adj. 1 of or relating to cattle. 2 stupid, dull. ЬЬbovinely adv. [LL bovinus f. L bos bovis ox] Bovril n. propr. a concentrated essence of beef diluted with hot water to make a drink. [L bos bovis ox, cow] bovver n. Brit. sl. deliberate troublemaking. Ьbovver boot a heavy laced boot worn typically by skinheads. bovver boy a violent hooligan. [cockney pronunc. of BOTHER] bow(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a a slip-knot with a double loop. b a ribbon, shoelace, etc., tied with this. c a decoration (on clothing, or painted etc.) in the form of a bow. 2 a device for shooting arrows with a taut string joining the ends of a curved piece of wood etc. 3 a a rod with horsehair stretched along its length, used for playing the violin, cello, etc. b a single stroke of a bow over strings. 4 a a shallow curve or bend. b a rainbow. 5 = saddle-bow. 6 a metal ring forming the handle of scissors, a key, etc. 7 US the side-piece of a spectacle-frame. 8 Archery = BOWMAN(1). --v.tr. (also absol.) use a bow on (a violin etc.) (he bowed vigorously). Ьbow-compass (or -compasses) compasses with jointed legs. bow-legged having bandy legs. bow-legs bandy legs. bow-saw Carpentry a narrow saw stretched like a bowstring on a light frame. bow-tie a necktie in the form of a bow (sense 1). bow-window a curved bay window. two strings to one's bow a twofold resource. [OE boga f. Gmc: cf. BOW(2)] bow(2) v. & n. --v. 1 intr. incline the head or trunk, esp. in greeting or assent or acknowledgement of applause. 2 intr. submit (bowed to the inevitable). 3 tr. cause to incline (bowed his head; bowed his will to hers). 4 tr. express (thanks, assent, etc.) by bowing (bowed agreement to the plan). 5 tr. (foll. by in, out) usher or escort obsequiously (bowed us out of the restaurant). --n. an inclining of the head or body in greeting, assent, or in the acknowledgement of applause, etc. Ьbow and scrape be obsequious; fawn. bow down 1 bend or kneel in submission or reverence (bowed down before the king). 2 (usu. in passive) make stoop; crush (was bowed down by care). bowing acquaintance a person one acknowledges but does not know well enough to speak to. bow out 1 make one's exit (esp. formally). 2 retreat, withdraw; retire gracefully. make one's bow make a formal exit or entrance. take a bow acknowledge applause. [OE bugan, f. Gmc: cf. BOW(1)] bow(3) n. Naut. 1 (often in pl.) the fore-end of a boat or a ship. 2 = BOWMAN(2). Ьbow wave a wave set up at the bows of a moving ship or in front of a body moving in air. on the bow within 45ш of the point directly ahead. shot across the bows a warning. [LG boog, Du. boeg, ship's bow, orig. shoulder: see BOUGH] bowdlerize v.tr. (also -ise) expurgate (a book etc.). ЬЬbowdlerism n. bowdlerization n. [T. Bowdler (d. 1825), expurgator of Shakesp.] bowel n. 1 a the part of the alimentary canal below the stomach. b the intestine. 2 (in pl.) the depths; the innermost parts (the bowels of the earth). Ьbowel movement 1 discharge from the bowels; defecation. 2 the faeces discharged from the body. [ME f. OF buel f. L botellus little sausage] bower(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a a secluded place, esp. in a garden, enclosed by foliage; an arbour. b a summer-house. 2 poet. an inner room; a boudoir. --v.tr. poet. embower. ЬЬbowery adj. [OE bur f. Gmc] bower(2) n. (in full bower-anchor) either of two anchors carried at a ship's bow. Ьbest bower the starboard bower. bower-cable the cable attached to a bower-anchor. small bower the port bower. [BOW(3) + -ER(1)] bower(3) n. either of two cards at euchre and similar games. Ьleft bower the jack of the same colour as the right bower. right bower the jack of trumps. [G Bauer peasant, jack at cards, rel. to Du. boer: see BOOR] bowerbird n. 1 any of various birds of the Ptilonorhyncidae family, native to Australia and New Guinea, the males of which construct elaborate bowers of feathers, grasses, shells, etc. during courtship. 2 a person who collects bric-…-brac. bowery n. (also Bowery) (pl. -ies) US a district known as a resort of drunks and down-and-outs. [orig. the Bowery, a street in New York City, f. Du. bouwerij farm] bowfin n. a voracious American freshwater fish, Amia calva. [BOW(1) + FIN] bowhead n. an Arctic whale, Balaena mysticetus. bowie n. (in full bowie knife) a long knife with a blade double-edged at the point, used as a weapon by American pioneers. [J. Bowie, Amer. soldier d. 1836] bowl(1) n. 1 a a usu. round deep basin used for food or liquid. b the quantity (of soup etc.) a bowl holds. c the contents of a bowl. 2 a any deep-sided container shaped like a bowl (lavatory bowl). b the bowl-shaped part of a tobacco-pipe, spoon, balance, etc. 3 esp. US a bowl-shaped region or building, esp. an amphitheatre (Hollywood Bowl). ЬЬbowlful n. (pl. -fuls). [OE bolle, bolla, f. Gmc] bowl(2) n. & v. --n. 1 a a wooden or hard rubber ball, slightly asymmetrical so that it runs on a curved course, used in the game of bowls. b a wooden ball or disc used in playing skittles. c a large ball with indents for gripping, used in tenpin bowling. 2 (in pl.; usu. treated as sing.) a a game played with bowls (sense 1a) on grass. b tenpin bowling. c skittles. 3 a spell or turn of bowling in cricket. --v. 1 a tr. roll (a ball, a hoop, etc.) along the ground. b intr. play bowls or skittles. 2 tr. (also absol.) Cricket etc. a deliver (a ball, an over, etc.) (bowled six overs; bowled well). b (often foll. by out) dismiss (a batsman) by knocking down the wicket with a ball (soon bowled him out). c (often foll. by down) knock (a wicket) over. 3 intr. (often foll. by along) go along rapidly by revolving, esp. on wheels (the cart bowled along the road). Ьbowl out Cricket dismiss (a batsman or a side). bowl over 1 knock down. 2 colloq. a impress greatly. b overwhelm (bowled over by her energy). [ME & F boule f. L bulla bubble] bowler(1) n. 1 Cricket etc. a member of the fielding side who bowls or is bowling. 2 a player at bowls. bowler(2) n. (in full bowler hat) a man's hard felt hat with a round dome-shaped crown. Ьbowler-hat (-hatted, -hatting) sl. retire (a person) from the army etc. (he's been bowler-hatted). [Bowler, a hatter, who designed it in 1850] bowline n. Naut. 1 a rope attaching the weather side of a square sail to the bow. 2 a simple knot for forming a non-slipping loop at the end of a rope. [ME f. MLG boline (as BOW(3), LINE(1))] bowling n. the game of bowls as a sport or recreation. Ьbowling-alley 1 a long enclosure for skittles or tenpin bowling. 2 a building containing these. bowling-crease Cricket the line from behind which a bowler delivers the ball. bowling-green a lawn used for playing bowls. bowman(1) n. (pl. -men) an archer. bowman(2) n. (pl. -men) the rower nearest the bow of esp. a racing boat. bowser n. 1 a tanker used for fuelling aircraft etc. 2 Austral. & NZ a petrol pump. [trade name, orig. propr.] bowshot n. the distance to which a bow can send an arrow. bowsprit n. Naut. a spar running out from a ship's bow to which the forestays are fastened. [ME f. Gmc (as BOW(3), SPRIT)] Bow Street runner n. (also Bow Street officer) hist. a London policeman. [Bow Street in London, containing the chief metropolitan police-court] bowstring n. & v. --n. the string of an archer's bow. --v.tr. strangle with a bowstring (a former Turkish method of execution). bow-wow int. & n. --int. an imitation of a dog's bark. --n. 1 colloq. a dog. 2 a dog's bark. [imit.] bowyang n. Austral. & NZ either of a pair of bands or straps worn round the trouser-legs below the knee. [dial. bowy-yangs etc.] bowyer n. a maker or seller of archers' bows. box(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a container, usu. with flat sides and of firm material such as wood or card, esp. for holding solids. 2 a the amount that will fill a box. b Brit. a gift of a kind formerly given to tradesmen etc. at Christmas. 3 a separate compartment for any of various purposes, e.g. for a small group in a theatre, for witnesses in a lawcourt, for horses in a stable or vehicle. 4 an enclosure or receptacle for a special purpose (often in comb. : money box; telephone box). 5 a facility at a newspaper office for receiving replies to an advertisement. 6 (prec. by the) colloq. television; one's television set (what's on the box?). 7 an enclosed area or space. 8 a space or area of print on a page, enclosed by a border. 9 Brit. a small country house for use when shooting, fishing, or for other sporting activity. 10 a protective casing for a piece of mechanism. 11 a light shield for protecting the genitals in sport, esp. in cricket. 12 (prec. by the) Football colloq. the penalty area. 13 Baseball the area occupied by the batter or the pitcher. 14 a coachman's seat. --v.tr. 1 put in or provide with a box. 2 (foll. by in, up) confine; restrain from movement. 3 (foll. by up) Austral. & NZ mix up (different flocks of sheep). Ьbox camera a simple box-shaped hand camera. box the compass Naut. recite the points of the compass in the correct order. box girder a hollow girder square in cross-section. box junction Brit. a road area at a junction marked with a yellow grid, which a vehicle should enter only if its exit from it is clear. box kite a kite in the form of a long box open at each end. box number a number by which replies are made to a private advertisement in a newspaper. box office 1 an office for booking seats and buying tickets at a theatre, cinema, etc. 2 the commercial aspect of the arts and entertainment (often attrib. : a box-office failure). box pleat a pleat consisting of two parallel creases forming a raised band. box spanner a spanner with a box-shaped end fitting over the head of a nut. box spring each of a set of vertical springs housed in a frame, e.g. in a mattress. ЬЬboxful n. (pl. -fuls). boxlike adj. [OE f. LL buxis f. L PYXIS] box(2) v. & n. --v. 1 a tr. fight (an opponent) at boxing. b intr. practise boxing. 2 slap (esp. a person's ears). --n. a slap with the hand, esp. on the ears. Ьbox clever colloq. act in a clever or effective way. [ME: orig. unkn.] box(3) n. 1 any small evergreen tree or shrub of the genus Buxus, esp. B. sempervirens, a slow-growing tree with glossy dark green leaves which is often used in hedging. 2 its wood, used for carving, turning, engraving, etc. 3 any of various trees in Australasia which have similar wood or foliage, esp. those of several species of Eucalyptus. 4 = BOXWOOD. Ьbox elder the American ash-leaved maple, Acer negundo. [OE f. L buxus, Gk puxos] Box and Cox n. & v. --n. (often attrib.) two persons sharing accommodation etc., and using it at different times. --v.intr. share accommodation, duties, etc. by a strictly timed arrangement. [the names of characters in a play (1847) by J. M. Morton] boxcar n. US an enclosed railway goods wagon, usu. with sliding doors on the sides. Boxer n. hist. a member of a fiercely nationalistic Chinese secret society that flourished in the 19th c. [transl. of Chin. i ho chuan, lit. 'righteous harmony fists'] boxer n. 1 a person who practises boxing, esp. for sport. 2 a a medium-size dog of a breed with a smooth brown coat and puglike face. b this breed. Ьboxer shorts men's underpants similar to shorts worn in boxing, with a shallow curved slit at each side. boxing n. the practice of fighting with the fists, esp. in padded gloves as a sport. Ьboxing glove each of a pair of heavily padded gloves used in boxing. boxing weight each of a series of fixed weight-ranges at which boxers are matched. Boxing Day n. the first weekday after Christmas. [from the custom of giving tradesmen gifts or money: see BOX(1) n. 2b] boxroom n. Brit. a room or large cupboard for storing boxes, cases, etc. boxwood n. 1 the wood of the box used esp. by engravers for the fineness of its grain and for its hardness. 2 = BOX(3) 1. boxy adj. (boxier, boxiest) reminiscent of a box; (of a room or space) very cramped. boy n. & int. --n. 1 a male child or youth. 2 a young man, esp. regarded as not yet mature. 3 a male servant, attendant, etc. 4 (the boys) colloq. a group of men mixing socially. --int. expressing pleasure, surprise, etc. Ьboy scout = SCOUT(1) 4. boys in blue Brit. policemen. ЬЬboyhood n. boyish adj. boyishly adv. boyishness n. [ME = servant, perh. ult. f. L boia fetter] boyar n. hist. a member of the old aristocracy in Russia. [Russ. boyarin grandee] boycott v. & n. --v.tr. 1 combine in refusing social or commercial relations with (a person, group, country, etc.) usu. as punishment or coercion. 2 refuse to handle (goods) to this end. --n. such a refusal. [Capt. C. C. Boycott, Irish land-agent d. 1897, so treated from 1880] boyfriend n. a person's regular male companion or lover. Boyle's law n. the law that the pressure of a given mass of gas is inversely proportional to its volume at a constant temperature. [Robert Boyle, Irish scientist d. 1691] boyo n. (pl. -os) Welsh & Ir. colloq. boy, fellow (esp. as a form of address). boysenberry n. (pl. -ies) 1 a hybrid of several species of bramble. 2 the large red edible fruit of this plant. [R. Boysen, 20th-c. Amer. horticulturalist] 15.0 BP... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- BP abbr. 1 boiling-point. 2 blood pressure. 3 before the present (era). 4 British Petroleum. 5 British Pharmacopoeia. Bp. abbr. Bishop. BPC abbr. British Pharmaceutical Codex. B.Phil. abbr. Bachelor of Philosophy. 16.0 Bq =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Bq abbr. becquerel. 17.0 Br... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- BR abbr. British Rail. Br symb. Chem. the element bromine. Br. abbr. 1 British. 2 Brother. bra n. (pl. bras) colloq. = BRASSI°RE. [abbr.] brace n. & v. --n. 1 a device that clamps or fastens tightly. 2 (in pl.) Brit. straps supporting trousers from the shoulders. 3 a wire device for straightening the teeth. 4 (pl. same) a pair (esp. of game). 5 a rope attached to the yard of a ship for trimming the sail. 6 a a connecting mark { or } used in printing. b Mus. a similar mark connecting staves to be performed at the same time. --v.tr. 1 fasten tightly, give firmness to. 2 make steady by supporting. 3 (esp. as bracing adj.) invigorate, refresh. 4 (often refl.) prepare for a difficulty, shock, etc. Ьbrace and bit a revolving tool with a D-shaped central handle for boring. ЬЬbracingly adv. bracingness n. [ME f. OF brace two arms, bracier embrace, f. L bra(c)chia arms] bracelet n. 1 an ornamental band, hoop, or chain worn on the wrist or arm. 2 sl. a handcuff. [ME f. OF, dimin. of bracel f. L bracchiale f. bra(c)chium arm] bracer n. colloq. a tonic. brachial adj. 1 of or relating to the arm (brachial artery). 2 like an arm. [L brachialis f. bra(c)chium arm] brachiate v. & adj. --v.intr. (of certain apes and monkeys) move by using the arms to swing from branch to branch. --adj. Biol. 1 having arms. 2 having paired branches on alternate sides. ЬЬbrachiation n. brachiator n. [L bra(c)chium arm] brachiopod n. any marine invertebrate of the phylum Brachiopoda (esp. a fossil one) having a two-valved chalky shell and a ciliated feeding arm. [mod.L f. Gk brakhion arm + pous podos foot] brachiosaurus n. any huge plant-eating dinosaur of the genus Brachiosaurus with forelegs longer than its hind legs. [mod.L f. Gk brakhion arm + sauros lizard] brachistochrone n. a curve between two points along which a body can move in a shorter time than for any other curve. [Gk brakhistos shortest + khronos time] brachy- comb. form short. [Gk brakhus short] brachycephalic adj. having a broad short head. ЬЬbrachycephalous adj. [BRACHY- + Gk kephale head] brachylogy n. (pl. -ies) 1 over-conciseness of expression. 2 an instance of this. brack n. Ir. cake or bread containing dried fruit etc. [abbr. of BARMBRACK] bracken n. 1 any large coarse fern, esp. Pteridium aquilinum, abundant on heaths and moorlands, and in woods. 2 a mass of such ferns. Also called BRAKE(5). [north. ME f. ON] bracket n. & v. --n. 1 a right-angled or other support attached to and projecting from a vertical surface. 2 a shelf fixed with such a support to a wall. 3 each of a pair of marks () [] {} used to enclose words or figures. 4 a group classified as containing similar elements or falling between given limits (income bracket). 5 Mil. the distance between two artillery shots fired either side of the target to establish range. --v.tr. (bracketed, bracketing) 1 a couple (names etc.) with a brace. b imply a connection or equality between. 2 a enclose in brackets as parenthetic or spurious. b Math. enclose in brackets as having specific relations to what precedes or follows. 3 Mil. establish the range of (a target) by firing two preliminary shots one short of and the other beyond it. [F braguette or Sp. bragueta codpiece, dimin. of F brague f. Prov. braga f. L braca, pl. bracae breeches] brackish adj. (of water etc.) slightly salty. ЬЬbrackishness n. [obs. brack (adj.) f. MLG, MDu. brac] bract n. a modified and often brightly coloured leaf, with a flower or an inflorescence in its axil. ЬЬbracteal adj. bracteate adj. [L bractea thin plate, gold-leaf] brad n. a thin flat nail with a head in the form of slight enlargement at the top. [var. of ME brod goad, pointed instrument, f. ON broddr spike] bradawl n. a small tool with a pointed end for boring holes by hand. [BRAD + AWL] bradycardia n. Med. abnormally slow heart-action. [Gk bradus slow + kardia heart] brae n. Sc. a steep bank or hillside. [ME f. ON br eyelash] brag v. & n. --v. (bragged, bragging) 1 intr. talk boastfully. 2 tr. boast about. --n. 1 a card-game like poker. 2 a boastful statement; boastful talk. ЬЬbragger n. braggingly adv. [ME, orig. adj., = spirited, boastful: orig. unkn.] braggadocio n. empty boasting; a boastful manner of speech and behaviour. [Braggadochio, a braggart in Spenser's Faerie Queene, f. BRAG or BRAGGART + It. augment. suffix - occio] braggart n. & adj. --n. a person given to bragging. --adj. boastful. [F bragard f. braguer BRAG] Brahma n. 1 the Hindu Creator. 2 the supreme divine reality in Hindu belief. [Skr., = creator] Brahman n. (also brahman) (pl. -mans) 1 a member of the highest Hindu caste, whose members are traditionally eligible for the priesthood. 2 = BRAHMA 2. ЬЬBrahmanic adj. Brahmanical adj. Brahmanism n. [Skr. brahmanas f. brahman priest] brahmaputra n. (also brahma) 1 any bird of a large Asian breed of domestic fowl. 2 this breed. [river Brahmaputra in India, from where it was brought] Brahmin n. 1 = BRAHMAN. 2 US a socially or intellectually superior person. [var. of BRAHMAN] braid n. & v. --n. 1 a woven band of silk or thread used for edging or trimming. 2 a length of entwined hair. --v.tr. 1 plait or intertwine (hair or thread). 2 trim or decorate with braid. ЬЬbraider n. [OE bregdan f. Gmc] braiding n. 1 various types of braid collectively. 2 braided work. Braille n. & v. --n. a system of writing and printing for the blind, in which characters are represented by patterns of raised dots. --v.tr. print or transcribe in Braille. [L. Braille, Fr. teacher d. 1852, its inventor] brain n. & v. --n. 1 an organ of soft nervous tissue contained in the skull of vertebrates, functioning as the coordinating centre of sensation, and of intellectual and nervous activity. 2 (in pl.) the substance of the brain, esp. as food. 3 a a person's intellectual capacity (has a poor brain). b (often in pl.) intelligence; high intellectual capacity (has a brain; has brains). 4 (in pl.; prec. by the) colloq. a the cleverest person in a group. b a person who originates a complex plan or idea (the brains behind the robbery). 5 an electronic device with functions comparable to those of a brain. --v.tr. 1 dash out the brains of. 2 strike hard on the head. Ьbrain-dead suffering from brain death. brain death irreversible brain damage causing the end of independent respiration, regarded as indicative of death. brain drain colloq. the loss of skilled personnel by emigration. brain fever inflammation of the brain. brain-pan colloq. the skull. brain stem the central trunk of the brain, upon which the cerebrum and cerebellum are set, and which continues downwards to form the spinal cord. brains (US brain) trust a group of experts who give impromptu answers to questions, usu. publicly. brain-teaser (or -twister) colloq. a puzzle or problem. brain trust US a group of expert advisers. on the brain colloq. obsessively in one's thoughts. [OE br‘gen f. WG] brainchild n. (pl. -children) colloq. an idea, plan, or invention regarded as the result of a person's mental effort. brainless adj. stupid, foolish. brainpower n. mental ability or intelligence. brainstorm n. 1 a violent or excited outburst often as a result of a sudden mental disturbance. 2 colloq. mental confusion. 3 US a brainwave. 4 a concerted intellectual treatment of a problem by discussing spontaneous ideas about it. ЬЬbrainstorming n. (in sense 4). brainwash v.tr. subject (a person) to a prolonged process by which ideas other than and at variance with those already held are implanted in the mind. ЬЬbrainwashing n. brainwave n. 1 (usu. in pl.) an electrical impulse in the brain. 2 colloq. a sudden bright idea. brainy adj. (brainier, brainiest) intellectually clever or active. ЬЬbrainily adv. braininess n. braise v.tr. fry lightly and then stew slowly with a little liquid in a closed container. [F braiser f. braise live coals] brake(1) n. & v. --n. 1 (often in pl.) a device for checking the motion of a mechanism, esp. a wheel or vehicle, or for keeping it at rest. 2 anything that has the effect of hindering or impeding (shortage of money was a brake on their enthusiasm). --v. 1 intr. apply a brake. 2 tr. retard or stop with a brake. Ьbrake block a block used to hold a brake shoe. brake drum a cylinder attached to a wheel on which the brake shoe presses to brake. brake fluid fluid used in a hydraulic brake system. brake horsepower the power of an engine reckoned in terms of the force needed to brake it. brake lining a strip of fabric which increases the friction of the brake shoe. brake shoe a long curved block which presses on the brake drum to brake. brake van Brit. a railway coach or vehicle from which the train's brakes can be controlled. ЬЬbrakeless adj. [prob. obs. brake in sense 'machine-handle, bridle'] brake(2) n. a large estate car. [var. of BREAK(2)] brake(3) n. & v. --n. 1 a toothed instrument used for crushing flax and hemp. 2 (in full brake harrow) a heavy kind of harrow for breaking up large lumps of earth. --v.tr. crush (flax or hemp) by beating it. [ME, rel. to BREAK(1)] brake(4) n. 1 a thicket. 2 brushwood. [ME f. OF bracu, MLG brake branch, stump] brake(5) n. bracken. [ME, perh. shortened f. BRACKEN, -en being taken as a pl. ending] brake (6) archaic past of BREAK(1). brakeman n. (pl. -men) 1 US an official on a train, responsible for maintenance on a journey. 2 a person in charge of brakes. [BRAKE(1) + MAN] brakesman n. (pl. -men) Brit. = BRAKEMAN 2. bramble n. 1 any of various thorny shrubs bearing fleshy red or black berries, esp. the blackberry bush, Rubus fructicosus. 2 the edible berry of these shrubs. 3 any of various other rosaceous shrubs with similar foliage, esp. the dog rose (Rosa canina). ЬЬbrambly adj. [OE br‘mbel (earlier br‘mel): see BROOM] brambling n. the speckled finch, Fringilla montifringilla, native to northern Eurasia, the male having a distinctive red breast. [G Br„mling f. WG (cf. BRAMBLE)] Bramley n. (pl. -eys) (in full Bramley's seedling) a large green variety of cooking apple. [M. Bramley, Engl. butcher in whose garden it may have first grown c.1850] bran n. grain husks separated from the flour. Ьbran-tub Brit. a lucky dip with prizes concealed in bran. [ME f. OF. of unkn. orig.] branch n. & v. --n. 1 a limb extending from a tree or bough. 2 a lateral extension or subdivision, esp. of a river, road, or railway. 3 a conceptual extension or subdivision, as of a family, knowledge, etc. 4 a local division or office etc. of a large business, as of a bank, library, etc. --v.intr. (often foll. by off) 1 diverge from the main part. 2 divide into branches. Ьbranch out extend one's field of interest. ЬЬbranched adj. branchlet n. branchlike adj. branchy adj. [ME f. OF branche f. LL branca paw] branchia n.pl. (also branchiae) gills. ЬЬbranchial adj. branchiate adj. [L branchia, pl. -ae, f. Gk bragkhia pl.] brand n. & v. --n. 1 a a particular make of goods. b an identifying trade mark, label, etc. 2 (usu. foll. by of) a special or characteristic kind (brand of humour). 3 an identifying mark burned on livestock or (formerly) prisoners etc. with a hot iron. 4 an iron used for this. 5 a piece of burning, smouldering, or charred wood. 6 a stigma; a mark of disgrace. 7 poet. a a torch. b a sword. 8 a kind of blight, leaving leaves with a burnt appearance. --v.tr. 1 mark with a hot iron. 2 stigmatize; mark with disgrace (they branded him a liar; was branded for life). 3 impress unforgettably on one's mind. 4 assign a trademark or label to. Ьbrand-new completely or obviously new. ЬЬbrander n. [OE f. Gmc] brandish v.tr. wave or flourish as a threat or in display. ЬЬbrandisher n. [OF brandir ult. f. Gmc, rel. to BRAND] brandling n. a red earthworm, Eisenia foetida, with rings of a brighter colour, which is often found in manure and used as bait. [BRAND + -LING(1)] brandy n. (pl. -ies) a strong alcoholic spirit distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice. Ьbrandy-ball Brit. a kind of brandy-flavoured sweet. brandy butter a rich sweet hard sauce made with brandy, butter, and sugar. brandy-snap a crisp rolled gingerbread wafer usu. filled with cream. [earlier brand(e)wine f. Du. brandewijn burnt (distilled) wine] brank-ursine n. the plant Acanthus mollis or A. spinosus, with three-lobed flowers and spiny leaves, used as a motif for the Corinthian capital. Also called bear's breech (see BEAR(2)). [F branche ursine, med.L branca ursina bear's claw: see BRANCH, URSINE] brant US var. of BRENT. brash(1) adj. 1 vulgarly or ostentatiously self-assertive. 2 hasty, rash. 3 impudent. ЬЬbrashly adv. brashness n. [orig. dial., perh. f. RASH(1)] brash(2) n. 1 loose broken rock or ice. 2 clippings from hedges, shrubs, etc. [18th c.: orig. unkn.] brash(3) n. an eruption of fluid from the stomach. [16th c., perh. imit.] brass n. & adj. --n. 1 a yellow alloy of copper and zinc. 2 a an ornament or other decorated piece of brass. b brass objects collectively. 3 Mus. brass wind instruments (including trumpet, horn, trombone) forming a band or a section of an orchestra. 4 Brit. sl. money. 5 (in full horse-brass) a round flat brass ornament for the harness of a draught-horse. 6 (in full top brass) colloq. persons in authority or of high (esp. military) rank. 7 an inscribed or engraved memorial tablet of brass. 8 colloq. effrontery (then had the brass to demand money). 9 a brass block or die used for making a design on a book binding. --adj. made of brass. Ьbrass band a group of musicians playing brass instruments, sometimes also with percussion. brassed off sl. fed up. brass hat Brit. colloq. an officer of high rank, usu. one with gold braid on the cap. brass monkey coarse sl. used in various phrases to indicate extreme cold. brass-rubbing 1 the rubbing of heelball etc. over paper laid on an engraved brass to take an impression of its design. 2 the impression obtained by this. brass tacks sl. actual details; real business (get down to brass tacks). not a brass farthing colloq. no money or assets at all. [OE br‘s, of unkn. orig.] brassard n. a band worn on the sleeve, esp. with a uniform. [F bras arm + -ARD] brasserie n. a restaurant, orig. one serving beer with food. [F, = brewery] brassica n. any cruciferous plant of the genus Brassica, having tap roots and erect branched stems, including cabbage, swede, brussel sprout, mustard, rape, cauliflower, kohlrabi, calabrese, kale, and turnip. [L, = cabbage] brassie n. (also brassy) (pl. -ies) a wooden-headed golf club with a brass sole. brassiЉre n. an undergarment worn by women to support the breasts. [F, = child's vest] brassy(1) adj. (brassier, brassiest) 1 impudent. 2 pretentious, showy. 3 loud and blaring. 4 of or like brass. ЬЬbrassily adv. brassiness n. brassy(2) var. of BRASSIE. brat n. usu. derog. a child, esp. an ill-behaved one. ЬЬbratty adj. [perh. abbr. of Sc. bratchart hound, or f. brat rough garment] brattice n. a wooden partition or shaft-lining in a coalmine. [ME ult. f. OE brittisc BRITISH] bratwurst n. a type of small German pork sausage. [G f. braten fry, roast + Wurst sausage] bravado n. a bold manner or a show of boldness intended to impress. [Sp. bravata f. bravo: cf. BRAVE, -ADO] brave adj., n., & v. --adj. 1 able or ready to face and endure danger or pain. 2 formal splendid, spectacular (make a brave show). --n. an American Indian warrior. --v.tr. defy; encounter bravely. Ьbrave it out behave defiantly under suspicion or blame. ЬЬbravely adv. braveness n. [ME f. F, ult. f. L barbarus BARBAROUS] bravery n. 1 brave conduct. 2 a brave nature. [F braverie or It. braveria (as BRAVE)] bravo(1) int. & n. --int. expressing approval of a performer etc. --n. (pl. -os) a cry of bravo. [F f. It.] bravo(2) n. (pl. -oes or -os) a hired ruffian or killer. [It.: see BRAVE] bravura n. (often attrib.) 1 a brilliant or ambitious action or display. 2 a a style of (esp. vocal) music requiring exceptional ability. b a passage of this kind. 3 bravado. [It.] braw adj. Sc. fine, good. [var. of brawf BRAVE] brawl n. & v. --n. a noisy quarrel or fight. --v.intr. 1 quarrel noisily or roughly. 2 (of a stream) run noisily. ЬЬbrawler n. [ME f. OProv., rel. to BRAY(1)] brawn n. 1 muscular strength. 2 muscle; lean flesh. 3 Brit. a jellied preparation of the chopped meat from a boiled pig's head. [ME f. AF braun, OF braon f. Gmc] brawny adj. (brawnier, brawniest) muscular, strong. ЬЬbrawniness n. bray(1) n. & v. --n. a the cry of a donkey. b a sound like this cry, e.g. that of a harshly-played brass instrument, a laugh, etc. --v. 1 intr. make a braying sound. 2 tr. utter harshly. [ME f. OF braire, perh. ult. f. Celt.] bray(2) v.tr. archaic pound or crush to small pieces, esp. with a pestle and mortar. [ME f. AF braier, OF breier f. Gmc] braze(1) v. & n. --v.tr. solder with an alloy of brass and zinc at a high temperature. --n. 1 a brazed joint. 2 the alloy used for brazing. [F braser solder f. braise live coals] braze(2) v.tr. 1 a make of brass. b cover or ornament with brass. 2 make hard like brass. [OE br‘sen f. br‘s BRASS] brazen adj. & v. --adj. 1 (also brazen-faced) flagrant and shameless; insolent. 2 made of brass. 3 of or like brass, esp. in colour or sound. --v.tr. (foll. by out) face or undergo defiantly. Ьbrazen it out be defiantly unrepentant under censure. ЬЬbrazenly adv. brazenness n. [OE br‘sen f. br‘s brass] brazier(1) n. a portable heater consisting of a pan or stand for holding lighted coals. [F brasier f. braise hot coals] brazier(2) n. a worker in brass. ЬЬbraziery n. [ME prob. f. BRASS + -IER, after glass, glazier] Brazil n. 1 a a lofty tree, Bertholletia excelsa, forming large forests in S. America. b (in full Brazil nut) a large three-sided nut with an edible kernel from this tree. 2 (in full Brazil-wood) a hard red wood from any tropical tree of the genus Caesalpina, that yields dyes. [the name of a S.Amer. country, named from Brazil-wood, ult. f. med.L brasilium] BRCS abbr. British Red Cross Society. breach n. & v. --n. 1 (often foll. by of) the breaking of or failure to observe a law, contract, etc. 2 a a breaking of relations; an estrangement. b a quarrel. 3 a a broken state. b a gap, esp. one made by artillery in fortifications. --v.tr. 1 break through; make a gap in. 2 break (a law, contract, etc.). Ьbreach of the peace an infringement or violation of the public peace by any disturbance or riot etc. breach of promise the breaking of a promise, esp. a promise to marry. stand in the breach bear the brunt of an attack. step into the breach give help in a crisis, esp. by replacing someone who has dropped out. [ME f. OF breche, ult. f. Gmc] bread n. & v. --n. 1 baked dough made of flour usu. leavened with yeast and moistened, eaten as a staple food. 2 a necessary food. b (also daily bread) one's livelihood. 3 sl. money. --v.tr. coat with breadcrumbs for cooking. Ьbread and butter 1 bread spread with butter. 2 a one's livelihood. b routine work to ensure an income. bread-and-butter letter a letter of thanks for hospitality. bread and circuses the public provision of subsistence and entertainment. bread and wine the Eucharist. bread basket 1 a basket for bread or rolls. 2 sl. the stomach. bread bin a container for keeping bread in. bread sauce a white sauce thickened with breadcrumbs. cast one's bread upon the waters do good without expecting gratitude or reward. know which side one's bread is buttered know where one's advantage lies. take the bread out of a person's mouth take away a person's living, esp. by competition etc. [OE bread f. Gmc] breadboard n. 1 a board for cutting bread on. 2 a board for making an experimental model of an electric circuit. breadcrumb n. 1 a small fragment of bread. 2 (in pl.) bread crumbled for use in cooking. breadfruit n. 1 a tropical evergreen tree, Artocarpus altilis, bearing edible usu. seedless fruit. 2 the fruit of this tree which when roasted becomes soft like new bread. breadline n. 1 subsistence level (esp. on the breadline). 2 US a queue of people waiting to receive free food. breadth n. 1 the distance or measurement from side to side of a thing; broadness. 2 a piece (of cloth etc.) of standard or full breadth. 3 extent, distance, room. 4 (usu. foll. by of) capacity to respect other opinions; freedom from prejudice or intolerance (esp. breadth of mind or view). 5 Art unity of the whole, achieved by the disregard of unnecessary details. ЬЬbreadthways adv. breadthwise adv. [obs. brede, OE br‘du, f. Gmc, rel. to BROAD] breadwinner n. a person who earns the money to support a family. break(1) v. & n. --v. (past broke or archaic brake; past part. broken or archaic broke) 1 tr. & intr. a separate into pieces under a blow or strain; shatter. b make or become inoperative, esp. from damage (the toaster has broken). c break a bone in or dislocate (part of the body). d break the skin of (the head or crown). 2 a tr. cause or effect an interruption in (broke our journey; the spell was broken; broke the silence). b intr. have an interval between spells of work (let's break now; we broke for tea). 3 tr. fail to observe or keep (a law, promise, etc.). 4 a tr. & intr. make or become subdued or weakened; yield or cause to yield (broke his spirit; he broke under the strain). b tr. weaken the effect of (a fall, blow, etc.). c tr. = break in 3c. d tr. defeat, destroy (broke the enemy's power). e tr. defeat the object of (a strike, e.g. by engaging other personnel). 5 tr. surpass (a record). 6 intr. (foll. by with) quarrel or cease association with (another person etc.). 7 tr. a be no longer subject to (a habit). b (foll. by of) cause (a person) to be free of a habit (broke them of their addiction). 8 tr. & intr. reveal or be revealed; (cause to) become known (broke the news; the story broke on Friday). 9 intr. a (of the weather) change suddenly, esp. after a fine spell. b (of waves) curl over and dissolve into foam. c (of the day) dawn. d (of clouds) move apart; show a gap. e (of a storm) begin violently. 10 tr. Electr. disconnect (a circuit). 11 intr. a (of the voice) change with emotion. b (of a boy's voice) change in register etc. at puberty. 12 tr. a (often foll. by up) divide (a set etc.) into parts, e.g. by selling to different buyers. b change (a banknote etc.) for coins. 13 tr. ruin (an individual or institution) financially (see also BROKE adj.). 14 tr. penetrate (e.g. a safe) by force. 15 tr. decipher (a code). 16 tr. make (a way, path, etc.) by separating obstacles. 17 intr. burst forth (the sun broke through the clouds). 18 Mil. a intr. (of troops) disperse in confusion. b tr. make a rupture in (ranks). 19 a intr. (usu. foll. by free, loose, out, etc.) escape from constraint by a sudden effort. b tr. escape or emerge from (prison, bounds, cover, etc.). 20 tr. Tennis etc. win a game against (an opponent's service). 21 intr. Boxing etc. (of two fighters, usu. at the referee's command) come out of a clinch. 22 Mil. tr. demote (an officer). 23 intr. esp. Stock Exch. (of prices) fall sharply. 24 intr. Cricket (of a bowled ball) change direction on bouncing. 25 intr. Billiards etc. disperse the balls at the beginning of a game. 26 tr. unfurl (a flag etc.). 27 tr. Phonet. subject (a vowel) to fracture. 28 tr. fail to rejoin (one's ship) after absence on leave. 29 tr. disprove (an alibi). --n. 1 a an act or instance of breaking. b a point where something is broken; a gap. 2 an interval, an interruption; a pause in work. 3 a sudden dash (esp. to escape). 4 colloq. a a piece of good luck; a fair chance. b (also bad break) an unfortunate remark or action, a blunder. 5 Cricket a change in direction of a bowled ball on bouncing. 6 Billiards etc. a a series of points scored during one turn. b the opening shot that disperses the balls. 7 Mus. (in jazz) a short unaccompanied passage for a soloist, usu. improvised. 8 Electr. a discontinuity in a circuit. Ьbad break colloq. 1 a piece of bad luck. 2 a mistake or blunder. break away make or become free or separate (see also BREAKAWAY). break the back of 1 do the hardest or greatest part of. 2 overburden (a person). break bulk see BULK. break crop a crop grown to avoid the continual growing of cereals. break-dancing an energetic style of street-dancing, developed by US Blacks. break down 1 a fail in mechanical action; cease to function. b (of human relationships etc.) fail, collapse. c fail in (esp. mental) health. d be overcome by emotion; collapse in tears. 2 a demolish, destroy. b suppress (resistance). c force (a person) to yield under pressure. 3 analyse into components (see also BREAKDOWN). break even emerge from a transaction etc. with neither profit nor loss. break a person's heart see HEART. break the ice 1 begin to overcome formality or shyness, esp. between strangers. 2 make a start. break in 1 enter premises by force, esp. with criminal intent. 2 interrupt. 3 a accustom to a habit etc. b wear etc. until comfortable. c tame or discipline (an animal); accustom (a horse) to saddle and bridle etc. 4 Austral. & NZ bring (virgin land) into cultivation. break-in n. an illegal forced entry into premises, esp. with criminal intent. breaking and entering (formerly) the illegal entering of a building with intent to commit a felony. breaking-point the point of greatest strain, at which a thing breaks or a person gives way. break in on disturb; interrupt. break into 1 enter forcibly or violently. 2 a suddenly begin, burst forth with (a song, laughter, etc.). b suddenly change one's pace for (a faster one) (broke into a gallop). 3 interrupt. break-line Printing the last line of a paragraph (usu. not of full length). break of day dawn. break off 1 detach by breaking. 2 bring to an end. 3 cease talking etc. break open open forcibly. break out 1 escape by force, esp. from prison. 2 begin suddenly; burst forth (then violence broke out). 3 (foll. by in) become covered in (a rash etc.). 4 exclaim. 5 release (a run-up flag). 6 US a open up (a receptacle) and remove its contents. b remove (articles) from a place of storage. break-out n. a forcible escape. break point 1 a place or time at which an interruption or change is made. 2 Computing (usu. breakpoint) a place in a computer program where the sequence of instructions is interrupted, esp. by another program. 3 a (in lawn tennis) a point which would win the game for the player(s) receiving service. b the situation at which the receiver(s) may break service by winning such a point. 4 = breaking-point. break step get out of step. break up 1 break into small pieces. 2 disperse; disband. 3 end the school term. 4 a terminate a relationship; disband. b cause to do this. 5 (of the weather) change suddenly (esp. after a fine spell). 6 esp. US a upset or be upset. b excite or be excited. c convulse or be convulsed (see also BREAKUP). break wind release gas from the anus. break one's word see WORD. [OE brecan f. Gmc] break(2) n. 1 a carriage-frame without a body, for breaking in young horses. 2 = BRAKE(2). [perh. = brake framework: 17th c., of unkn. orig.] breakable adj. & n. --adj. that may or is apt to be broken easily. --n. (esp. in pl.) a breakable thing. breakage n. 1 a a broken thing. b damage caused by breaking. 2 an act or instance of breaking. breakaway n. 1 the act or an instance of breaking away or seceding. 2 (attrib.) that breaks away or has broken away; separate. 3 Austral. a stampede, esp. at the sight or smell of water. 4 a false start in a race. 5 Rugby Football an outside second-row forward. breakdown n. 1 a a mechanical failure. b a loss of (esp. mental) health and strength. 2 a collapse or disintegration (breakdown of communication). 3 a detailed analysis (of statistics etc.). breaker n. 1 a person or thing that breaks something, esp. disused machinery. 2 a person who breaks in a horse. 3 a heavy wave that breaks. breakfast n. & v. --n. the first meal of the day. --v.intr. have breakfast. ЬЬbreakfaster n. [BREAK(1) interrupt + FAST(2)] breakneck adj. (of speed) dangerously fast. breakthrough n. 1 a major advance or discovery. 2 an act of breaking through an obstacle etc. breakup n. 1 disintegration, collapse. 2 dispersal. breakwater n. a barrier built out into the sea to break the force of waves. bream(1) n. (pl. same) 1 a yellowish arch-backed freshwater fish, Abramis brama. 2 (in full sea bream) a similarly shaped marine fish of the family Sparidae. [ME f. OF bre(s)me f. WG] bream(2) v.tr. Naut. hist. clean (a ship's bottom) by burning and scraping. [prob. f. LG: rel. to BROOM] breast n. & v. --n. 1 a either of two milk-secreting organs on the upper front of a woman's body. b the corresponding usu. rudimentary part of a man's body. 2 a the upper front part of a human body; the chest. b the corresponding part of an animal. 3 the part of a garment that covers the breast. 4 the breast as a source of nourishment or emotion. --v.tr. 1 face, meet in full opposition (breast the wind). 2 contend with (breast it out against difficulties). 3 reach the top of (a hill). Ьbreast-feed (past and past part. -fed) feed (a baby) from the breast. breast-high as high as the breast; submerged to the breast. breast-pin a brooch etc. worn on the breast. breast-stroke a stroke made while swimming on the breast by extending arms forward and sweeping them back in unison. breast the tape see TAPE. make a clean breast of confess fully. ЬЬbreasted adj. (also in comb.). breastless adj. [OE breost f. Gmc] breastbone n. a thin flat vertical bone and cartilage in the chest connecting the ribs. breastplate n. a piece of armour covering the breast. breastsummer n. Archit. a beam across a broad opening, sustaining a superstructure. [BREAST + SUMMER(2)] breastwork n. a low temporary defence or parapet. breath n. 1 a the air taken into or expelled from the lungs. b one respiration of air. c an exhalation of air that can be seen, smelt, or heard (breath steamed in the cold air; bad breath). 2 a a slight movement of air; a breeze. b a whiff of perfume etc. 3 a whisper, a murmur (esp. of a scandalous nature). 4 the power of breathing; life (is there breath in him?). Ьbelow (or under) one's breath in a whisper. breath of fresh air 1 a small amount of or a brief time in the fresh air. 2 a refreshing change. breath of life a necessity. breath test Brit. a test of a person's alcohol consumption, using a breathalyser. catch one's breath 1 cease breathing momentarily in surprise, suspense, etc. 2 rest after exercise to restore normal breathing. draw breath breathe; live. hold one's breath cease breathing temporarily. in the same breath (esp. of saying two contradictory things) within a short time. out of breath gasping for air, esp. after exercise. take breath pause for rest. take one's breath away astound; surprise; awe; delight. waste one's breath talk or give advice without effect. [OE br‘th f. Gmc] Breathalyser n. (also Breathalyzer) Brit. propr. an instrument for measuring the amount of alcohol in the breath (and hence in the blood) of a driver. ЬЬbreathalyse v.tr. (also -lyze). [BREATH + ANALYSE + -ER(1)] breathe v. 1 intr. take air into and expel it from the lungs. 2 intr. be or seem alive (is she breathing?). 3 tr. a utter; say (esp. quietly) (breathed her forgiveness). b express; display (breathed defiance). 4 intr. take breath, pause. 5 tr. send out or take in (as if) with breathed air (breathed new life into them; breathed whisky). 6 intr. (of wine, fabric, etc.) be exposed to fresh air. 7 intr. a sound, speak (esp. quietly). b (of wind) blow softly. 8 tr. allow (a horse etc.) to breathe; give rest after exertion. Ьbreathe again (or freely) recover from a shock, fear, etc., and be at ease. breathe down a person's neck follow or check up on a person, esp. menacingly. breathe one's last die. breathe upon tarnish, taint. not breathe a word of keep quite secret. [ME f. BREATH] breather n. 1 colloq. a a brief pause for rest. b a short spell of exercise. 2 a safety-vent in the crankcase of a motor vehicle etc. breathing n. Phonet. 1 the process of taking air into and expelling it from the lungs. 2 a sign in Greek indicating that an initial vowel or rho is aspirated (rough breathing) or not aspirated (smooth breathing). Ьbreathing-space time to breathe; a pause. breathless adj. 1 panting, out of breath. 2 holding the breath because of excitement, suspense, etc. (a state of breathless expectancy). 3 unstirred by wind; still. ЬЬbreathlessly adv. breathlessness n. breathtaking adj. astounding; awe-inspiring. ЬЬbreathtakingly adv. breathy adj. (breathier, breathiest) (of a singing-voice etc.) containing the sound of breathing. ЬЬbreathily adv. breathiness n. breccia n. & v. --n. a rock of angular stones etc. cemented by finer material. --v.tr. form into breccia. ЬЬbrecciate v.tr. brecciation n. [It., = gravel, f. Gmc, rel. to BREAK(1)] bred past and past part. of BREED. breech n. & v. --n. 1 a the part of a cannon behind the bore. b the back part of a rifle or gun barrel. 2 archaic the buttocks. --v.tr. archaic put (a boy) into breeches after being in petticoats since birth. Ьbreech birth (or delivery) the delivery of a baby with the buttocks or feet foremost. breech-block a metal block which closes the breech aperture in a gun. breech-loader a gun loaded at the breech, not through the muzzle. breech-loading (of a gun) loaded at the breech, not through the muzzle. [OE broc, pl. brec (treated as sing. in ME), f. Gmc] breeches n.pl. (also pair of breeches sing.) 1 short trousers, esp. fastened below the knee, now used esp. for riding or in court costume. 2 colloq. any trousers, knickerbockers, or underpants. ЬBreeches Bible the Geneva Bible of 1560 with breeches for aprons in Gen. 3:7. breeches buoy a lifebuoy suspended from a rope which has canvas breeches for the user's legs. [pl. of BREECH] breed v. & n. --v. (past and past part. bred) 1 tr. & intr. bear, generate (offspring). 2 tr. & intr. propagate or cause to propagate; raise (livestock). 3 tr. a yield, produce; result in (war breeds famine). b spread (discontent bred by rumour). 4 intr. arise; spread (disease breeds in the Tropics). 5 tr. bring up; train (bred to the law; Hollywood breeds stars). 6 tr. Physics create (fissile material) by nuclear reaction. --n. 1 a stock of animals or plants within a species, having a similar appearance, and usu. developed by deliberate selection. 2 a race; a lineage. 3 a sort, a kind. Ьbred and born = born and bred. bred in the bone hereditary. breeder reactor a nuclear reactor that can create more fissile material than it consumes. breed in mate with or marry near relations. ЬЬbreeder n. [OE bredan: rel. to BROOD] breeding n. 1 the process of developing or propagating (animals, plants, etc.). 2 generation; childbearing. 3 the result of training or education; behaviour. 4 good manners (as produced by an aristocratic heredity) (has no breeding). breeks n.pl. Sc. var. of BREECHES. breeze(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a gentle wind. 2 Meteorol. a wind of 4-31 m.p.h. and between force 2 and force 6 on the Beaufort scale. 3 a wind blowing from land at night or sea during the day. 4 esp. Brit. colloq. a quarrel or display of temper. 5 esp. US colloq. an easy task. --v.intr. (foll. by in, out, along, etc.) colloq. come or go in a casual or lighthearted manner. [prob. f. OSp. & Port. briza NE wind] breeze(2) n. small cinders. Ьbreeze-block any lightweight building block, esp. one made from breeze mixed with sand and cement. [F braise live coals] breeze(3) n. a gadfly or cleg. [OE briosa, of unkn. orig.] breezy adj. (breezier, breeziest) 1 a windswept. b pleasantly windy. 2 colloq. lively; jovial. 3 colloq. careless (with breezy indifference). ЬЬbreezily adv. breeziness n. bremsstrahlung n. Physics the electromagnetic radiation produced by the acceleration or esp. the deceleration of a charged particle after passing through the electric and magnetic fields of a nucleus. [G, = braking radiation] Bren n. (in full Bren gun) a lightweight quick-firing machine-gun. [Brno in Czechoslovakia (where orig. made) + Enfield in England (where later made)] brent n. (US brant) (in full brent-goose) a small migratory goose, Branta bernicla. [16th c.: orig. unkn.] brethren see BROTHER. Breton n. & adj. --n. 1 a native of Brittany. 2 the Celtic language of Brittany. --adj. of or relating to Brittany or its people or language. [OF, = BRITON] bretzel var. of PRETZEL. breve n. 1 Mus. a note, now rarely used, having the time value of two semibreves. 2 a written or printed mark indicating a short or unstressed vowel. 3 hist. an authoritative letter from a sovereign or pope. [ME var. of BRIEF] brevet n. & v. --n. (often attrib.) a document conferring a privilege from a sovereign or government, esp. a rank in the army, without the appropriate pay (was promoted by brevet; brevet major). --v.tr. (breveted, breveting or brevetted, brevetting) confer brevet rank on. [ME f. OF dimin. of bref BRIEF] breviary n. (pl. -ies) RC Ch. a book containing the service for each day, to be recited by those in orders. [L breviarium summary f. breviare abridge: see ABBREVIATE] brevity n. 1 economy of expression; conciseness. 2 shortness (of time etc.) (the brevity of happiness). [AF brevet‚, OF brievet‚ f. bref BRIEF] brew v. & n. --v. 1 tr. a make (beer etc.) by infusion, boiling, and fermentation. b make (tea etc.) by infusion or (punch etc.) by mixture. 2 intr. undergo either of these processes (the tea is brewing). 3 intr. (of trouble, a storm, etc.) gather force; threaten (mischief was brewing). 4 tr. bring about; set in train; concoct (brewed their fiendish scheme). --n. 1 an amount (of beer etc.) brewed at one time (this year's brew). 2 what is brewed (esp. with regard to its quality) (a good strong brew). 3 the action or process of brewing. Ьbrew up make tea. brew-up n. an instance of making tea. ЬЬbrewer n. [OE breowan f. Gmc] brewery n. (pl. -ies) a place where beer etc. is brewed commercially. briar(1) var. of BRIER(1). briar(2) var. of BRIER(2). bribe v. & n. --v.tr. (often foll. by to + infin.) persuade (a person etc.) to act improperly in one's favour by a gift of money, services, etc. (bribed the guard to release the suspect). --n. money or services offered in the process of bribing. ЬЬbribable adj. briber n. bribery n. [ME f. OF briber, brimber beg, of unkn. orig.] bric-…-brac n. (also bric-a-brac, bricabrac) miscellaneous, often old, ornaments, trinkets, furniture, etc., of no great value. [F f. obs. … bric et … brac at random] brick n., v., & adj. --n. 1 a a small, usu. rectangular, block of fired or sun-dried clay, used in building. b the material used to make these. c a similar block of concrete etc. 2 Brit. a child's toy building-block. 3 a brick-shaped solid object (a brick of ice-cream). 4 sl. a generous or loyal person. --v.tr. (foll. by in, up) close or block with brickwork. --adj. 1 built of brick (brick wall). 2 of a dull red colour. Ьbang (or knock or run) one's head against a brick wall attempt the impossible. brick-field a place at which bricks are made. brick-red the colour of bricks. like a load (or ton) of bricks colloq. with crushing weight, force, or authority. see through a brick wall have miraculous insight. ЬЬbricky adj. [ME f. MLG, MDu. bri(c)ke, of unkn. orig.] brickbat n. 1 a piece of brick, esp. when used as a missile. 2 an uncomplimentary remark. brickfielder n. Austral. a hot, dry north wind. brickie n. sl. a bricklayer. bricklayer n. a worker who builds with bricks. ЬЬbricklaying n. brickwork n. 1 building in brick. 2 a wall, building, etc. made of brick. brickyard n. a place where bricks are made. bridal adj. of or concerning a bride or a wedding. ЬЬbridally adv. [orig. as noun, = wedding-feast, f. OE bryd-ealu f. bryd BRIDE + ealu ale-drinking] bride n. a woman on her wedding day and for some time before and after it. Ьbride-cake a wedding cake. bride-price money or goods given to a bride's family esp. in primitive societies. [OE bryd f. Gmc] bridegroom n. a man on his wedding day and for some time before and after it. [OE brydguma (as BRIDE, guma man, assim. to GROOM)] bridesmaid n. a girl or unmarried woman attending a bride on her wedding day. [earlier bridemaid, f. BRIDE + MAID] bridewell n. archaic a prison; a reformatory. [St Bride's Well in London, near which such a building stood] bridge(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a a structure carrying a road, path, railway, etc., across a stream, ravine, road, railway, etc. b anything providing a connection between different things (English is a bridge between nations). 2 the superstructure on a ship from which the captain and officers direct operations. 3 the upper bony part of the nose. 4 Mus. an upright piece of wood on a violin etc. over which the strings are stretched. 5 = BRIDGEWORK. 6 Billiards etc. a a long stick with a structure at the end which is used to support a cue for a difficult shot. b a support for a cue formed by a raised hand. 7 = land-bridge. --v.tr. 1 a be a bridge over (a fallen tree bridges the stream). b make a bridge over; span. 2 span as if with a bridge (bridged their differences with understanding). Ьbridge of asses = pons asinorum. bridge of boats a bridge formed by mooring boats together abreast across a river etc. bridge passage Mus. a transitional piece between main themes. bridging loan a loan from a bank etc. to cover the short interval between buying a house etc. and selling another. cross a (or that) bridge when one comes to it deal with a problem when and if it arises. ЬЬbridgeable adj. [OE brycg f. Gmc] bridge(2) n. a card-game derived from whist, in which one player's cards are exposed and are played by his or her partner (cf. auction bridge, contract bridge). Ьbridge roll a small soft bread roll. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] bridgehead n. Mil. a fortified position held on the enemy's side of a river or other obstacle. bridgework n. Dentistry a dental structure used to cover a gap, joined to and supported by the teeth on either side. bridle n. & v. --n. 1 a the headgear used to control a horse, consisting of buckled leather straps, a metal bit, and reins. b a restraining thing or influence (put a bridle on your tongue). 2 Naut. a mooring-cable. 3 Physiol. a ligament checking the motion of a part. --v. 1 tr. put a bridle on (a horse etc.). 2 tr. bring under control; curb. 3 intr. (often foll. by up) express offence, resentment, etc., esp. by throwing up the head and drawing in the chin. Ьbridle-path (or -road or -way) a rough path or road fit only for riders or walkers, not vehicles. [OE bridel] bridoon n. the snaffle and rein of a military bridle. [F bridon f. bride bridle] Brie n. a kind of soft cheese. [Brie in N. France] brief adj., n., & v. --adj. 1 of short duration. 2 concise in expression. 3 abrupt, brusque (was rather brief with me). 4 scanty; lacking in substance (wearing a brief skirt). --n. 1 (in pl.) a women's brief pants. b men's brief underpants. 2 Law a a summary of the facts and legal points of a case drawn up for counsel. b a piece of work for a barrister. 3 instructions given for a task, operation, etc. (orig. a bombing plan given to an aircrew). 4 RC Ch. a letter from the Pope to a person or community on a matter of discipline. --v.tr. 1 Brit. Law instruct (a barrister) by brief. 2 instruct (an employee, a participant, etc.) in preparation for a task; inform or instruct thoroughly in advance (briefed him for the interview) (cf. DEBRIEF). Ьbe brief use few words. hold a brief for 1 argue in favour of. 2 be retained as counsel for. in brief in short. watching brief 1 a brief held by a barrister following a case for a client not directly involved. 2 a state of interest maintained in a proceeding not directly or immediately concerning one. ЬЬbriefly adv. briefness n. [ME f. AF bref, OF brief, f. L brevis short] briefcase n. a flat rectangular case for carrying documents etc. briefing n. 1 a meeting for giving information or instructions. 2 the information or instructions given; a brief. 3 the action of informing or instructing. briefless adj. Law (of a barrister) having no clients. brier(1) n. (also briar) any prickly bush esp. of a wild rose. Ьbrier-rose dog-rose. sweet-brier a wild rose, Rosa eglanteria, with small fragrant leaves and flowers. ЬЬbriery adj. [OE br‘r, brer, of unkn. orig.] brier(2) n. (also briar) 1 a white heath, Erica arborea, native to S. Europe. 2 a tobacco pipe made from its root. [19th-c. bruyer f. F bruyЉre heath] Brig. abbr. Brigadier. brig(1) n. 1 a two-masted square-rigged ship, with an additional lower fore-and-aft sail on the gaff and a boom to the mainmast. 2 US a prison, esp. on a warship. [abbr. of BRIGANTINE] brig(2) n. Sc. & N.Engl. var. of BRIDGE(1). brigade n. & v. --n. 1 Mil. a a subdivision of an army. b a British infantry unit consisting usu. of 3 battalions and forming part of a division. c a corresponding armoured unit. 2 an organized or uniformed band of workers (fire brigade). 3 colloq. any group of people with a characteristic in common (the couldn't-care-less brigade). --v.tr. form into a brigade. [F f. It. brigata company f. brigare be busy with f. briga strife] brigadier n. Mil. 1 an officer commanding a brigade. 2 a a staff officer of similar standing, above a colonel and below a major-general. b the titular rank granted to such an officer. Ьbrigadier general US an officer ranking next above colonel. [F (as BRIGADE, -IER)] brigalow n. Austral. any of various acacia trees, esp. Acacia harpophylla. [Aboriginal] brigand n. a member of a robber band living by pillage and ransom, usu. in wild terrain. ЬЬbrigandage n. brigandish adj. brigandism n. brigandry n. [ME f. OF f. It. brigante f. brigare: see BRIGADE] brigantine n. a two-masted sailing-ship with a square-rigged foremast and a fore-and-aft rigged mainmast. [OF brigandine or It. brigantino f. brigante BRIGAND] bright adj. & adv. --adj. 1 emitting or reflecting much light; shining. 2 (of colour) intense, vivid. 3 clever, talented, quick-witted (a bright idea; a bright child). 4 cheerful, vivacious. --adv. esp. poet. brightly (the moon shone bright). Ьbright and early very early in the morning. bright-eyed and bushy-tailed colloq. alert and sprightly. the bright lights the glamour and excitement of the city. look on the bright side be optimistic. ЬЬbrightish adj. brightly adv. brightness n. [OE beorht, (adv.) beorhte, f. Gmc] brighten v.tr. & intr. 1 make or become brighter. 2 make or become more cheerful. Bright's disease n. inflammation of the kidney from any of various causes; nephritis. [R. Bright, Engl. physician d. 1858] brill(1) n. a European flat-fish, Scophthalmus rhombus, resembling a turbot. [15th c.: orig. unkn.] brill(2) adj. colloq. = BRILLIANT adj. 4. [abbr.] brilliance n. (also brilliancy) 1 great brightness; sparkling or radiant quality. 2 outstanding talent or intelligence. brilliancy var. of BRILLIANCE. brilliant adj. & n. --adj. 1 very bright; sparkling. 2 outstandingly talented or intelligent. 3 showy; outwardly impressive. 4 colloq. excellent, superb. --n. a diamond of the finest cut with many facets. ЬЬbrilliantly adv. [F brillant part. of briller shine f. It. brillare, of unkn. orig.] brilliantine n. 1 an oily liquid dressing for making the hair glossy. 2 US a lustrous dress fabric. [F brillantine (as BRILLIANT)] brim n. & v. --n. 1 the edge or lip of a cup or other vessel, or of a hollow. 2 the projecting edge of a hat. --v.tr. & intr. (brimmed, brimming) fill or be full to the brim. Ьbrim over overflow. ЬЬbrimless adj. brimmed adj. (usu. in comb.). [ME brimme, of unkn. orig.] brim-full adj. (also brimful) (often foll. by of) filled to the brim. brimstone n. 1 archaic the element sulphur. 2 a butterfly, Gonepteryx rhamni, or moth, Opisthograptis luteolata, having yellow wings. [ME prob. f. OE bryne burning + STONE] brindled adj. (also brindle) brownish or tawny with streaks of other colour (esp. of domestic animals). [earlier brinded, brended f. brend, perh. of Scand. orig.] brine n. & v. --n. 1 water saturated or strongly impregnated with salt. 2 sea water. --v.tr. soak in or saturate with brine. [OE brine, of unkn. orig.] bring v.tr. (past and past part. brought) 1 a come conveying esp. by carrying or leading. b come with. 2 cause to come or be present (what brings you here?). 3 cause or result in (war brings misery). 4 be sold for; produce as income. 5 a prefer (a charge). b initiate (legal action). 6 cause to become or to reach a particular state (brings me alive; brought them to their senses; cannot bring myself to agree). 7 adduce (evidence, an argument, etc.). Ьbring about 1 cause to happen. 2 turn (a ship) around. bring-and-buy sale Brit. a kind of charity sale at which participants bring items for sale and buy what is brought by others. bring back call to mind. bring down 1 cause to fall. 2 lower (a price). 3 sl. make unhappy or less happy. 4 colloq. damage the reputation of; demean. bring forth 1 give birth to. 2 produce, emit, cause. bring forward 1 move to an earlier date or time. 2 transfer from the previous page or account. 3 draw attention to; adduce. bring home to cause to realize fully (brought home to me that I was wrong). bring the house down receive rapturous applause. bring in 1 introduce (legislation, a custom, fashion, topic, etc.). 2 yield as income or profit. bring into play cause to operate; activate. bring low overcome. bring off achieve successfully. bring on 1 cause to happen or appear. 2 accelerate the progress of. bring out 1 emphasize; make evident. 2 publish. bring over convert to one's own side. bring round 1 restore to consciousness. 2 persuade. bring through aid (a person) through adversity, esp. illness. bring to 1 restore to consciousness (brought him to). 2 check the motion of. bring to bear (usu. foll. by on) direct and concentrate (forces). bring to mind recall; cause one to remember. bring to pass cause to happen. bring under subdue. bring up 1 rear (a child). 2 vomit, regurgitate. 3 call attention to. 4 (absol.) stop suddenly. bring upon oneself be responsible for (something one suffers). ЬЬbringer n. [OE bringan f. Gmc] brinjal n. (in India and Africa) an aubergine. [ult. Port. berinjela formed as AUBERGINE] brink n. 1 the extreme edge of land before a precipice, river, etc., esp. when a sudden drop follows. 2 the furthest point before something dangerous or exciting is discovered. Ьon the brink of about to experience or suffer; in imminent danger of. [ME f. ON: orig. unkn.] brinkmanship n. the art or policy of pursuing a dangerous course to the brink of catastrophe before desisting. briny adj. & n. --adj. (brinier, briniest) of brine or the sea; salty. --n. (prec. by the) Brit. sl. the sea. ЬЬbrininess n. brio n. dash, vigour, vivacity. [It.] brioche n. a small rounded sweet roll made with a light yeast dough. [F] briquette n. (also briquet) a block of compressed coal dust used as fuel. [F briquette, dimin. of brique brick] brisk adj. & v. --adj. 1 quick, lively, keen (a brisk pace; brisk trade). 2 enlivening (a brisk wind). --v.tr. & intr. (often foll. by up) make or grow brisk. ЬЬbrisken v.tr. & intr. briskly adv. briskness n. [prob. F brusque BRUSQUE] brisket n. an animal's breast, esp. as a joint of meat. [AF f. OF bruschet, perh. f. ON] brisling n. a small herring or sprat. [Norw. & Da., = sprat] bristle n. & v. --n. 1 a short stiff hair, esp. one of those on an animal's back. 2 this, or a man-made substitute, used in clumps to make a brush. --v. 1 a intr. (of the hair) stand upright, esp. in anger or pride. b tr. make (the hair) do this. 2 intr. show irritation or defensiveness. 3 intr. (usu. foll. by with) be covered or abundant (in). [ME bristel, brestel f. OE byrst] bristletail n. = SILVERFISH. bristly adj. (bristlier, bristliest) full of bristles; rough, prickly. Bristol board n. a kind of fine smooth pasteboard for drawing on. [Bristol in S. England] Bristol fashion n. (functioning as predic.adj.) (in full shipshape and Bristol fashion) orig. Naut. with all in good order. bristols n.pl. Brit. sl. a woman's breasts. [rhyming sl. f. Bristol cities = titties] Brit n. colloq. a British person. [abbr.] Brit. abbr. 1 British. 2 Britain. Britannia n. the personification of Britain, esp. as a helmeted woman with shield and trident. ЬBritannia metal a silvery alloy of tin, antimony, and copper. [L f. Gk Brettania f. Brettanoi Britons] Britannic adj. (esp. in His (or Her) Britannic Majesty) of Britain. [L Britannicus (as BRITANNIA)] Briticism n. (also Britishism) an idiom used in Britain but not in other English-speaking countries. [BRITISH, after GALLICISM] British adj. & n. --adj. 1 of or relating to Great Britain or the United Kingdom, or to its people or language. 2 of the British Commonwealth or (formerly) the British Empire (British subject). --n. 1 (prec. by the; treated as pl.) the British people. 2 US = British English. ЬBritish English English as used in Great Britain, as distinct from that used elsewhere. British Legion = Royal British Legion. British summer time = summer time (see SUMMER(1)). British thermal unit see THERMAL. ЬЬBritishness n. [OE Brettisc etc. f. Bret f. L Britto or OCelt.] Britisher n. a British subject, esp. of British descent. °Not used in British English. Britishism var. of BRITICISM. Briton n. 1 one of the people of S. Britain before the Roman conquest. 2 a native or inhabitant of Great Britain or (formerly) of the British Empire. [ME & OF Breton f. L Britto -onis f. OCelt.] brittle adj. & n. --adj. hard and fragile; apt to break. --n. a brittle sweet made from nuts and set melted sugar. Ьbrittle-bone disease = OSTEOPOROSIS. brittle-star an echinoderm of the class Ophiuroidea, with long brittle arms radiating from a small central body. ЬЬbrittlely adv. brittleness n. brittly adv. [ME ult. f. a Gmc root rel. to OE breotan break up] bro. abbr. brother. broach v. & n. --v.tr. 1 raise (a subject) for discussion. 2 pierce (a cask) to draw liquor. 3 open and start using contents of (a box, bale, bottle, etc.). 4 begin drawing (liquor). --n. 1 a bit for boring. 2 a roasting-spit. Ьbroach spire an octagonal church spire rising from a square tower without a parapet. [ME f. OF broche (n.), brocher (v.) ult. f. L brocc(h)us projecting] broad adj. & n. --adj. 1 large in extent from one side to the other; wide. 2 (following a measurement) in breadth (2 metres broad). 3 spacious or extensive (broad acres; a broad plain). 4 full and clear (broad daylight). 5 explicit, unmistakable (broad hint). 6 general; not taking account of detail (broad intentions; a broad inquiry; in the broadest sense of the word). 7 chief or principal (the broad facts). 8 tolerant, liberal (take a broad view). 9 somewhat coarse (broad humour). 10 (of speech) markedly regional (broad Scots). --n. 1 the broad part of something (broad of the back). 2 US sl. a young woman. 3 (the Broads) large areas of fresh water in E. Anglia, formed where rivers widen. Ьbroad arrow see ARROW. broad bean 1 a kind of bean, Vicia faba, with pods containing large edible flat seeds. 2 one of these seeds. Broad Church a group within the Anglican Church favouring a liberal interpretation of doctrine. broad gauge a railway track with a gauge wider than the standard one. broad-leaved (of a tree) deciduous and hard-timbered. broad pennant a short swallow-tailed pennant distinguishing the commodore's ship in a squadron. broad spectrum (of a medicinal substance) effective against a large variety of micro-organisms. ЬЬbroadness n. broadways adv. broadwise adv. [OE brad f. Gmc] broadcast v., n., adj., & adv. --v. (past broadcast or broadcasted; past part. broadcast) 1 tr. transmit (programmes or information) by radio or television. 2 intr. undertake or take part in a radio or television transmission. 3 tr. scatter (seed etc.) over a large area, esp. by hand. --n. a radio or television programme or transmission. --adj. 1 transmitted by radio or television. 2 a scattered widely. b (of information etc.) widely disseminated. --adv. over a large area. ЬЬbroadcaster n. broadcasting n. [BROAD + CAST past part.] broadcloth n. a fine cloth of wool, cotton, or silk. [orig. with ref. to width and quality] broaden v.tr. & intr. make or become broader. broadloom adj. (esp. of carpet) woven in broad widths. broadly adv. in a broad manner; widely (grinned broadly). Ьbroadly speaking disregarding minor exceptions. broad-minded adj. tolerant or liberal in one's views. ЬЬbroad-mindedly adv. broad-mindedness n. broadsheet n. a large sheet of paper printed on one side only, esp. with information. broadside n. 1 the firing of all guns from one side of a ship. 2 a vigorous verbal onslaught. 3 the side of a ship above the water between the bow and quarter. Ьbroadside on sideways on. broadsword n. a sword with a broad blade, for cutting rather than thrusting. broadtail n. 1 the karacul sheep. 2 the fleece or wool from its lamb. broadway n. a large open or main road. brocade n. & v. --n. a rich fabric with a silky finish woven with a raised pattern, and often with gold or silver thread. --v.tr. weave with this design. [Sp. & Port. brocado f. It. broccato f. brocco twisted thread] broccoli n. 1 a variety of cabbage, similar to the cauliflower, with a loose cluster of greenish flower buds. 2 the flower-stalk and head used as a vegetable. [It., pl. of broccolo dimin. of brocco sprout] broch n. (in Scotland) a prehistoric circular stone tower. [ON borg castle] brochette n. a skewer on which chunks of meat are cooked, esp. over an open fire. [F, dimin. of broche BROACH] brochure n. a pamphlet or leaflet, esp. one giving descriptive information. [F, lit. 'stitching', f. brocher stitch] brock n. (esp. in rural use) a badger. [OE broc(c) f. OBrit. brokkos] brocket n. any small deer of the genus Mazama, native to Central and S. America, having short straight antlers. [ME f. AF broque (= broche BROACH)] broderie anglaise n. open embroidery on white linen or cambric, esp. in floral patterns. [F, = English embroidery] brogue(1) n. 1 a strong outdoor shoe with ornamental perforated bands. 2 a rough shoe of untanned leather. [Gael. & Ir. brog f. ON brўk] brogue(2) n. a marked accent, esp. Irish. [18th c.: orig. unkn.: perh. allusively f. BROGUE(1)] broil(1) v. esp. US 1 tr. cook (meat) on a rack or a gridiron. 2 tr. & intr. make or become very hot, esp. from the sun. [ME f. OF bruler burn f. Rmc] broil(2) n. a row; a tumult. [obs. broil to muddle: cf. EMBROIL] broiler n. 1 a young chicken raised for broiling or roasting. 2 a gridiron etc. for broiling. 3 colloq. a very hot day. Ьbroiler house a building for rearing broiler chickens in close confinement. broke past of BREAK(1). --predic.adj. colloq. having no money; financially ruined. Ьgo for broke sl. risk everything in a strenuous effort. [(adj.) archaic past part. of BREAK(1)] broken past part. of BREAK(1). --adj. 1 that has been broken; out of order. 2 (of a person) reduced to despair; beaten. 3 (of a language or of speech) spoken falteringly and with many mistakes, as by a foreigner (broken English). 4 disturbed, interrupted (broken time). 5 uneven (broken ground). Ьbroken chord Mus. a chord in which the notes are played successively. broken-down 1 worn out by age, use, or ill-treatment. 2 out of order. broken-hearted overwhelmed with sorrow or grief. broken-heartedness grief. broken home a family in which the parents are divorced or separated. broken reed a person who has become unreliable or ineffective. broken wind heaves (see HEAVE n. 3). broken-winded (of a horse) disabled by ruptured air-cells in the lungs. ЬЬbrokenly adv. brokenness n. broker n. 1 an agent who buys and sells for others; a middleman. 2 a member of the Stock Exchange dealing in stocks and shares. °In the UK from Oct. 1986 officially called broker-dealer and entitled to act as agent and principal in share dealings. 3 Brit. an official appointed to sell or appraise distrained goods. [ME f. AF brocour, of unkn. orig.] brokerage n. a broker's fee or commission. broking n. the trade or business of a broker. brolga n. Austral. a large Australian crane, Grus rubicunda, with a booming call. [Aboriginal] brolly n. (pl. -ies) Brit. 1 colloq. an umbrella. 2 sl. a parachute. [abbr.] bromate n. Chem. a salt or ester of bromic acid. brome n. any oatlike grass of the genus Bromus, having slender stems with flowering spikes. [mod.L Bromus f. Gk bromos oat] bromelia n. (also bromeliad) any plant of the family Bromeliaceae (esp. of the genus Bromelia), native to the New World, having short stems with rosettes of stiff usu. spiny leaves, e.g. pineapple. [O. Bromel, Sw. botanist d. 1705] bromic adj. Chem. of or containing bromine. Ьbromic acid a strong acid used as an oxidizing agent. bromide n. 1 Chem. any binary compound of bromine. 2 Pharm. a preparation of usu. potassium bromide, used as a sedative. 3 a trite remark. Ьbromide paper a photographic printing paper coated with silver bromide emulsion. bromine n. Chem. a dark fuming liquid element with a choking irritating smell, extracted from bittern and used in the manufacture of chemicals for photography and medicine. °Symb.: Br. ЬЬbromism n. [F brome f. Gk bromos stink] bromo- comb. form Chem. bromine. bronc n. US colloq. = BRONCO. [abbr.] bronchi pl. of BRONCHUS. bronchial adj. of or relating to the bronchi or bronchioles. Ьbronchial tree the branching system of bronchi and bronchioles conducting air from the windpipe to the lungs. bronchiole n. any of the minute divisions of a bronchus. ЬЬbronchiolar adj. bronchitis n. inflammation of the mucous membrane in the bronchial tubes. ЬЬbronchitic adj. & n. broncho- comb. form bronchi. bronchocele n. a goitre. bronchopneumonia n. inflammation of the lungs, arising in the bronchi or bronchioles. bronchoscope n. a usu. fibre-optic instrument for inspecting the bronchi. ЬЬbronchoscopy n. bronchus n. (pl. bronchi) any of the major air passages of the lungs, esp. either of the two main divisions of the windpipe. [LL f. Gk brogkhos windpipe] bronco n. (pl. -os) a wild or half-tamed horse of the western US. Ьbronco-buster US sl. a person who breaks in horses. [Sp., = rough] brontosaurus n. (also brontosaur) a large plant-eating dinosaur of the genus Brontosaurus, with a long whiplike tail and trunk-like legs. [Gk bronte thunder + sauros lizard] bronze n., adj., & v. --n. 1 any alloy of copper and tin. 2 its brownish colour. 3 a thing made of bronze, esp. as a work of art. --adj. made of or coloured like bronze. --v. 1 tr. give a bronzelike surface to. 2 tr. & intr. make or become brown; tan. ЬBronze Age Archaeol. the period preceding the Iron Age, when weapons and tools were usu. made of bronze. bronze medal a medal usu. awarded to a competitor who comes third (esp. in sport). ЬЬbronzy adj. [F f. It. bronzo, prob. f. Pers. birinj copper] brooch n. an ornament fastened to clothing with a hinged pin. [ME broche = BROACH n.] brood n. & v. --n. 1 the young of an animal (esp. a bird) produced at one hatching or birth. 2 colloq. the children in a family. 3 a group of related things. 4 bee or wasp larvae. 5 (attrib.) kept for breeding (brood-mare). --v. 1 intr. (often foll. by on, over, etc.) worry or ponder (esp. resentfully). 2 a intr. sit as a hen on eggs to hatch them. b tr. sit on (eggs) to hatch them. 3 intr. (usu. foll. by over) (of silence, a storm, etc.) hang or hover closely. ЬЬbroodingly adv. [OE brod f. Gmc] brooder n. 1 a heated house for chicks, piglets, etc. 2 a person who broods. broody adj. (broodier, broodiest) 1 (of a hen) wanting to brood. 2 sullenly thoughtful or depressed. 3 colloq. (of a woman) wanting to have a baby. ЬЬbroodily adv. broodiness n. brook(1) n. a small stream. ЬЬbrooklet n. [OE broc, of unkn. orig.] brook(2) v.tr. (usu. with neg.) literary tolerate, allow. [OE brucan f. Gmc] brooklime n. a kind of speedwell, Veronica beccabunga, growing in wet areas. brookweed n. a small herb, Samolus valerandi, having slender stems with tiny white flowers and growing in wet places. broom n. 1 a long-handled brush of bristles, twigs, etc. for sweeping (orig. one made of twigs of broom). 2 any of various shrubs, esp. Cytisus scoparius bearing bright yellow flowers. Ьnew broom a newly appointed person eager to make changes. [OE brom] broomrape n. any parasitic plant of the genus Orobanche, with tubular flowers on a leafless brown stem, and living on the roots of broom and similar plants. [BROOM + L rapum tuber] broomstick n. the handle of a broom, esp. as allegedly ridden on through the air by witches. Bros. abbr. Brothers (esp. in the name of a firm). brose n. esp. Sc. Cookery a dish of oatmeal with boiling water or milk poured on it. [Sc. form of brewis broth: ME f. OF bro(u)ez, ult. f. Gmc] broth n. 1 Cookery a a thin soup of meat or fish stock. b unclarified meat or fish stock. 2 Biol. meat stock as a nutrient medium for bacteria. [OE f. Gmc: rel. to BREW] brothel n. a house etc. where prostitution takes place. [orig. brothel-house f. ME brothel worthless man, prostitute, f. OE breothan go to ruin] brother n. 1 a man or boy in relation to other sons and daughters of his parents. 2 a (often as a form of address) a close male friend or associate. b a male fellow member of a trade union etc. 3 (pl. also brethren) a a member of a male religious order, esp. a monk. b a fellow member of the Christian Church, a religion, or (formerly) a guild etc. 4 a fellow human being. Ьbrother german see GERMAN. brother-in-law (pl. brothers-in-law) 1 the brother of one's wife or husband. 2 the husband of one's sister. 3 the husband of one's sister-in-law. brother uterine see UTERINE 2. ЬЬbrotherless adj. brotherly adj. & adv. brotherliness n. [OE brothor f. Gmc] brotherhood n. 1 a the relationship between brothers. b brotherly friendliness; companionship. 2 a an association, society, or community of people linked by a common interest, religion, trade, etc. b its members collectively. 3 US a trade union. 4 community of feeling between all human beings. [ME alt. f. brotherrede f. OE brothor-r‘den (cf. KINDRED) after words in -HOOD, -HEAD] brougham n. hist. 1 a horse-drawn closed carriage with a driver perched outside in front. 2 a motor car with an open driver's seat. [Lord Brougham, d. 1868] brought past and past part. of BRING. brouhaha n. commotion, sensation; hubbub, uproar. [F] brow n. 1 the forehead. 2 (usu. in pl.) an eyebrow. 3 the summit of a hill or pass. 4 the edge of a cliff etc. 5 colloq. intellectual level. ЬЬbrowed adj. [OE bru f. Gmc] browbeat v.tr. (past -beat; past part. -beaten) intimidate with stern looks and words. ЬЬbrowbeater n. brown adj., n., & v. --adj. 1 having the colour produced by mixing red, yellow, and black, as of dark wood or rich soil. 2 dark-skinned or suntanned. 3 (of bread) made from a dark flour as wholemeal or wheatmeal. 4 (of species or varieties) distinguished by brown coloration. --n. 1 a brown colour or pigment. 2 brown clothes or material (dressed in brown). 3 (in a game or sport) a brown ball, piece, etc. 4 (prec. by the) Brit. a brown mass of flying game-birds. --v.tr. & intr. make or become brown by cooking, sunburn, etc. Ьbrown ale a dark, mild, bottled beer. brown bear a large N. American brown bear, Ursus arctos. brown coal = LIGNITE. browned off Brit. sl. fed up, disheartened. brown fat a dark-coloured adipose tissue with a rich supply of blood vessels. brown holland see HOLLAND. brown owl 1 any of various owls, esp. the tawny owl. 2 (Brown Owl) an adult leader of a Brownie Guides pack. brown rice unpolished rice with only the husk of the grain removed. Brown-shirt a Nazi; a member of a fascist organization. brown sugar unrefined or partially refined sugar. in a brown study see STUDY. ЬЬbrownish adj. brownness n. browny adj. [OE brun f. Gmc] Brownian movement n. (also Brownian motion) Physics the erratic random movement of microscopic particles in a liquid, gas, etc., as a result of continuous bombardment from molecules of the surrounding medium. [R. Brown, Sc. botanist d. 1858] Brownie n. 1 (in full Brownie Guide) a member of the junior branch of the Guides. 2 (brownie) Cookery a a small square of rich, usu. chocolate, cake with nuts. b Austral. & NZ a sweet currant-bread. 3 (brownie) a benevolent elf said to haunt houses and do household work secretly. ЬBrownie point colloq. a notional credit for something done to please or win favour. browning n. Brit. Cookery browned flour or any other additive to colour gravy. brownstone n. US 1 a kind of reddish-brown sandstone used for building. 2 a building faced with this. browse v. & n. --v. 1 intr. & tr. read desultorily. 2 intr. (often foll. by on) feed (on leaves, twigs, or scanty vegetation). 3 tr. crop and eat. --n. 1 twigs, young shoots, etc., as fodder for cattle. 2 an act of browsing. ЬЬbrowser n. [(n.) f. earlier brouse f. OF brost young shoot, prob. f. Gmc; (v.) f. F broster] BRS abbr. British Road Services. brucellosis n. a disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella, affecting esp. cattle and causing undulant fever in humans. [Brucella f. Sir D. Bruce, Sc. physician d. 1931 + -OSIS] brucite n. a mineral form of magnesium hydroxide. [A. Bruce, US mineralogist d. 1818] Bruin n. a personal name used for a bear. [ME f. Du., = BROWN: used as a name in Reynard the Fox] bruise n. & v. --n. 1 an injury appearing as an area of discoloured skin on a human or animal body, caused by a blow or impact. 2 a similar area of damage on a fruit etc. --v. 1 tr. a inflict a bruise on. b hurt mentally. 2 intr. be susceptible to bruising. 3 tr. crush or pound. [ME f. OE brysan crush, reinforced by AF bruser, OF bruisier break] bruiser n. colloq. 1 a large tough-looking person. 2 a professional boxer. bruit v. & n. --v.tr. (often foll. by abroad, about) spread (a report or rumour). --n. archaic a report or rumour. [F, = noise f. bruire roar] Brum n. colloq. Birmingham (in England). [abbr. of BRUMMAGEM] brumby n. (pl. -ies) Austral. a wild or unbroken horse. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] brume n. literary mist, fog. [F f. L bruma winter] Brummagem adj. 1 cheap and showy (Brummagem goods). 2 counterfeit. [dial. form of Birmingham, England, with ref. to counterfeit coins and plated goods once made there] Brummie n. & adj. (also Brummy) colloq. --n. (pl. -ies) a native of Birmingham. --adj. of or characteristic of a Brummie (a Brummie accent). [BRUM] brunch n. & v. --n. a late-morning meal eaten as the first meal of the day. --v.intr. eat brunch. [BR(EAKFAST) + (L)UNCH] brunette n. & adj. --n. a woman with dark brown hair. --adj. (of a woman) having dark brown hair. [F, fem. of brunet, dimin. of brun BROWN] brunt n. the chief or initial impact of an attack, task, etc. (esp. bear the brunt of). [ME: orig. unkn.] brush n. & v. --n. 1 an implement with bristles, hair, wire, etc. varying in firmness set into a block or projecting from the end of a handle, for any of various purposes, esp. cleaning or scrubbing, painting, arranging the hair, etc. 2 the application of a brush; brushing. 3 a (usu. foll. by with) a short esp. unpleasant encounter (a brush with the law). b a skirmish. 4 a the bushy tail of a fox. b a brushlike tuft. 5 Electr. a a piece of carbon or metal serving as an electrical contact esp. with a moving part. b (in full brush discharge) a brushlike discharge of sparks. 6 esp. US & Austral. a undergrowth, thicket; small trees and shrubs. b US such wood cut in faggots. c land covered with brush. d Austral. dense forest. 7 Austral. & NZ sl. a girl or young woman. --v. 1 tr. a sweep or scrub or put in order with a brush. b treat (a surface) with a brush so as to change its nature or appearance. 2 tr. a remove (dust etc.) with a brush. b apply (a liquid preparation) to a surface with a brush. 3 tr. & intr. graze or touch in passing. 4 intr. perform a brushing action or motion. Ьbrush aside dismiss or dispose of (a person, idea, etc.) curtly or lightly. brushed aluminium aluminium with a lustreless surface. brushed fabric fabric brushed so as to raise the nap. brush off rebuff; dismiss abruptly. brush-off n. a rebuff; an abrupt dismissal. brush over paint lightly. brush turkey Austral. a large mound-building bird, Alectura lathami. brush up 1 clean up or smarten. 2 revive one's former knowledge of (a subject). brush-up n. the process of cleaning up. ЬЬbrushlike adj. brushy adj. [ME f. OF brosse] brushless adj. not requiring the use of a brush. brushwood n. 1 cut or broken twigs etc. 2 undergrowth; a thicket. brushwork n. 1 manipulation of the brush in painting. 2 a painter's style in this. brusque adj. abrupt or offhand in manner or speech. ЬЬbrusquely adv. brusqueness n. brusquerie n. [F f. It. brusco sour] Brussels carpet n. a carpet with a wool pile and a stout linen back. [Brussels in Belgium] Brussels lace n. an elaborate needlepoint or pillow lace. Brussels sprout n. 1 a variety of cabbage with small compact cabbage-like buds borne close together along a tall single stem. 2 any of these buds used as a vegetable. brut adj. (of wine) unsweetened. [F] brutal adj. 1 savagely or coarsely cruel. 2 harsh, merciless. ЬЬbrutality n. (pl. -ies). brutally adv. [F brutal or med.L brutalis f. brutus BRUTE] brutalism n. 1 brutality. 2 a heavy plain style of architecture etc. brutalize v.tr. (also -ise) 1 make brutal. 2 treat brutally. ЬЬbrutalization n. brute n. & adj. --n. 1 a a brutal or violent person or animal. b colloq. an unpleasant person. 2 an animal as opposed to a human being. --adj. 1 not possessing the capacity to reason. 2 a animal-like, cruel. b stupid, sensual. 3 unthinking, merely material (brute force; brute matter). ЬЬbrutehood n. brutish adj. brutishly adv. brutishness n. [F f. L brutus stupid] bruxism n. the involuntary or habitual grinding or clenching of the teeth. [Gk brukhein gnash the teeth] bryology n. the study of bryophytes. ЬЬbryological adj. bryologist n. [Gk bruon moss] bryony n. (pl. -ies) any climbing plant of the genus Bryonia, esp. B. dioica bearing greenish-white flowers and red berries. Ьblack bryony a similar unrelated plant, Tamus communis, bearing poisonous berries. [L bryonia f. Gk bruonia] bryophyte n. any plant of the phylum Bryophyta, including mosses and liverworts. ЬЬbryophytic adj. [mod.L Bryophyta f. Gk bruon moss + phuton plant] bryozoan n. & adj. --n. any aquatic invertebrate animal of the phylum Bryozoa, forming colonies attached to rocks, seaweeds, etc. Also called POLYZOAN. --adj. of or relating to the phylum Bryozoa. ЬЬbryozoology n. [Gk bruon moss + zoia animals] Brythonic n. & adj. --n. the language of the Celts of southern Britain and Brittany. --adj. of or relating to this people or their language. [W Brython Britons f. OCelt.] 18.0 BS... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- BS abbr. 1 US Bachelor of Science. 2 Bachelor of Surgery. 3 Blessed Sacrament. 4 British Standard(s). B.Sc. abbr. Bachelor of Science. BSE abbr. bovine spongiform encephalopathy, a usu. fatal disease of cattle involving the central nervous system and causing extreme agitation. BSI abbr. British Standards Institution. B-side n. the side of a gramophone record regarded as less important. BST abbr. 1 British Summer Time. 2 British Standard Time (in use 1968-71). 3 bovine somatotrophin, a growth hormone found naturally in cows and introduced into cattle-feed to boost milk production. 19.0 BT... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- BT abbr. British Telecom. Bt. abbr. Baronet. B.th.u. abbr. (also B.t.u., BTU, B.Th.U.) British thermal unit(s). 20.0 bu... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- bu. abbr. bushel(s). bub n. US colloq. a boy or a man, often used as a form of address. [earlier bubby, perh. a childish form of BROTHER or f. G Bube boy] bubal n. = HARTEBEEST. [L bubalus f. Gk boubalos oxlike antelope] bubble n. & v. --n. 1 a a thin sphere of liquid enclosing air etc. b an air-filled cavity in a liquid or a solidified liquid such as glass or amber. 2 the sound or appearance of boiling. 3 a transparent domed cavity. 4 a visionary or unrealistic project or enterprise (the South Sea Bubble). --v.intr. 1 rise in or send up bubbles. 2 make the sound of boiling. Ьbubble and squeak Brit. cooked cabbage fried with cooked potatoes or meat. bubble bath 1 a preparation for adding to bath water to make it foam. 2 a bath with this added. bubble car Brit. a small motor car with a transparent dome. bubble chamber Physics an apparatus designed to make the tracks of ionizing particles visible as a row of bubbles in a liquid. bubble gum chewing-gum that can be blown into bubbles. bubble memory Computing a type of memory which stores data as a pattern of magnetized regions in a thin layer of magnetic material. bubble over (often foll. by with) be exuberant with laughter, excitement, anger, etc. bubble pack a small package enclosing goods in a transparent material on a backing. [ME: prob. imit.] bubbly adj. & n. --adj. (bubblier, bubbliest) 1 having or resembling bubbles. 2 exuberant. --n. colloq. champagne. Ьbubbly-jock Sc. a turkeycock. bubo n. (pl. -oes) a swollen inflamed lymph node in the armpit or groin. [med.L bubo -onis swelling f. Gk boubon groin] bubonic adj. relating to or characterized by buboes. Ьbubonic plague a contagious bacterial disease characterized by fever, delirium, and the formation of buboes. buccal adj. 1 of or relating to the cheek. 2 of or in the mouth. [L bucca cheek] buccaneer n. & v. --n. 1 a pirate, orig. off the Spanish-American coasts. 2 an unscrupulous adventurer. --v.intr. be a buccaneer. ЬЬbuccaneering n. & adj. buccaneerish adj. [F boucanier f. boucaner cure meat on a barbecue f. boucan f. Tupi mukem] buccinator n. a flat thin cheek muscle. [L f. buccinare blow a trumpet (buccina)] buck(1) n. & v. --n. 1 the male of various animals, esp. the deer, hare, or rabbit. 2 archaic a fashionable young man. 3 (attrib.) a sl. male (buck antelope). b US Mil. of the lowest rank (buck private). --v. 1 intr. (of a horse) jump upwards with back arched and feet drawn together. 2 tr. a (usu. foll. by off) throw (a rider or burden) in this way. b US oppose, resist. 3 tr. & intr. (usu. foll. by up) colloq. a make or become more cheerful. b hurry. 4 tr. (as bucked adj.) colloq. encouraged, elated. Ьbuck fever US nervousness when called on to act. buck-horn horn of buck as a material for knife-handles etc. buck-hound a small kind of staghound. buck rarebit Welsh rarebit with a poached egg on top. buck-tooth an upper tooth that projects. ЬЬbucker n. [OE buc male deer, bucca male goat, f. ON] buck(2) n. US etc. sl. a dollar. Ьa fast buck easy money. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] buck(3) n. sl. an article placed as a reminder before a player whose turn it is to deal at poker. Ьpass the buck colloq. shift responsibility (to another). [19th c.: orig. unkn.] buck(4) n. 1 US a saw-horse. 2 a vaulting-horse. [Du. (zaag)boc] buck(5) n. the body of a cart. [perh. f. obs. bouk belly, f. OE buc f. Gmc] buck (6) n. conversation; boastful talk. [Hindi buk buk] buckbean n. a bog plant, Menyanthes trifoliata, with white or pinkish hairy flowers. Also called bog-bean. buckboard n. US a horse-drawn vehicle with the body formed by a plank fixed to the axles. [BUCK(5) + BOARD] bucket n. & v. --n. 1 a a roughly cylindrical open container, esp. of metal, with a handle, used for carrying, drawing, or holding water etc. b the amount contained in this (need three buckets to fill the bath). 2 (in pl.) large quantities of liquid, esp. rain or tears (wept buckets). 3 a compartment on the outer edge of a water wheel. 4 the scoop of a dredger or a grain-elevator. --v. (bucketed, bucketing) 1 intr. & tr. (often foll. by along) Brit. move or drive jerkily or bumpily. 2 intr. (often foll. by down) (of liquid, esp. rain) pour heavily. Ьbucket seat a seat with a rounded back to fit one person, esp. in a car. bucket-shop 1 an office for gambling in stocks, speculating on markets, etc. 2 colloq. a travel agency specializing in cheap air tickets. ЬЬbucketful n. (pl. -fuls). [ME & AF buket, buquet, perh. f. OE buc pitcher] buckeye n. a any shrub of the genus Aesculus, with large sticky buds and showy red or white flowers. b the shiny brown fruit of this plant. buckle n. & v. --n. 1 a flat often rectangular frame with a hinged pin, used for joining the ends of a belt, strap, etc. 2 a similarly shaped ornament, esp. on a shoe. --v. 1 tr. (often foll. by up, on, etc.) fasten with a buckle. 2 tr. & intr. (often foll. by up) give way or cause to give way under longitudinal pressure; crumple up. Ьbuckle down make a determined effort. buckle to (or down to) prepare for, set about (work etc.). buckle to get to work, make a vigorous start. [ME f. OF boucle f. L buccula cheek-strap of a helmet f. bucca cheek: sense 2 of v. f. F boucler bulge] buckler n. 1 hist. a small round shield held by a handle. 2 Bot. any of several ferns of the genus Dryopteris, having buckler-shaped indusia. Also called shield-fern. [ME f. OF bocler lit. 'having a boss' f. boucle BOSS(2)] Buckley's n. (in full Buckley's chance) Austral. & NZ colloq. little or no chance. [19th c.: orig. uncert.] buckling n. a smoked herring. [G BЃckling bloater] bucko n. & adj. Naut. sl. --n. (pl. -oes) a swaggering or domineering fellow. --adj. blustering, swaggering, bullying. [BUCK(1) + -O] buckram n. & adj. --n. 1 a coarse linen or other cloth stiffened with gum or paste, and used as interfacing or in bookbinding. 2 archaic stiffness in manner. --adj. archaic starchy; formal. Ьmen in buckram a figment (Shakesp. 1 Henry IV II. iv. 210-50). [ME f. AF bukeram, OF boquerant, perh. f. Bokhara in central Asia] Bucks. abbr. Buckinghamshire. Buck's Fizz n. a cocktail of champagne or sparkling white wine and orange juice. [Buck's Club in London + FIZZ] buckshee adj. & adv. Brit. sl. free of charge. [corrupt. of BAKSHEESH] buckshot n. coarse lead shot. buckskin n. 1 a the skin of a buck. b leather made from a buck's skin. 2 a thick smooth cotton or woollen cloth. buckthorn n. any thorny shrub of the genus Rhamnus, esp. R. cathartica with berries formerly used as a cathartic. buckwheat n. any cereal plant of the genus Fagopyrum, esp. F. esculentum with seeds used for fodder and for flour to make bread and pancakes. [MDu. boecweite beech wheat, its grains being shaped like beechmast] bucolic adj. & n. --adj. of or concerning shepherds, the pastoral life, etc.; rural. --n. 1 (usu. in pl.) a pastoral poem or poetry. 2 a peasant. ЬЬbucolically adv. [L bucolicus f. Gk boukolikos f. boukolos herdsman f. bous OX] bud(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a an immature knoblike shoot from which a stem, leaf, or flower develops. b a flower or leaf that is not fully open. 2 Biol. an asexual outgrowth from a parent organism that separates to form a new individual. 3 anything still undeveloped. --v. (budded, budding) 1 intr. Bot. & Zool. form a bud. 2 intr. begin to grow or develop (a budding cricketer). 3 tr. Hort. graft a bud (of a plant) on to another plant. Ьin bud having newly formed buds. [ME: orig. unkn.] bud(2) n. US colloq. (as a form of address) = BUDDY. [abbr.] Buddha n. 1 a title given to successive teachers of Buddhism, esp. to its founder, Gautama. 2 a statue or picture of the Buddha. [Skr., = enlightened, past part. of budh know] Buddhism n. a widespread Asian religion or philosophy, founded by Gautama Buddha in India in the 5th c. BC, which teaches that elimination of the self and earthly desires is the highest goal (cf. NIRVANA). ЬЬBuddhist n. & adj. Buddhistic adj. Buddhistical adj. buddleia n. any shrub of the genus Buddleia, with fragrant lilac, yellow, or white flowers attractive to butterflies. [A. Buddle, Engl. botanist d. 1715] buddy n. & v. esp. US colloq. --n. (pl. -ies) (often as a form of address) a close friend or mate. --v.intr. (-ies, -ied) (often foll. by up) become friendly. [perh. corrupt. of brother, or var. of BUTTY(1)] budge v. (usu. with neg.) 1 intr. a make the slightest movement. b change one's opinion (he's stubborn, he won't budge). 2 tr. cause or compel to budge (nothing will budge him). Ьbudge up (or over) make room for another person by moving. [F bouger stir ult. f. L bullire boil] budgerigar n. a small green parrot, Melopsittacus undulatus, native to Australia, and bred in coloured varieties which are often kept as cage-birds. [Aboriginal, = good cockatoo] budget n. & v. --n. 1 the amount of money needed or available (for a specific item etc.) (a budget of њ200; mustn't exceed the budget). 2 a (the Budget) Brit. the usu. annual estimate of national revenue and expenditure. b an estimate or plan of expenditure in relation to income. c a private person's or family's similar estimate. 3 (attrib.) inexpensive. 4 archaic a quantity of material etc., esp. written or printed. --v.tr. & intr. (budgeted, budgeting) (often foll. by for) allow or arrange for in a budget (have budgeted for a new car; can budget њ60). Ьbudget account (or plan) a bank account, or account with a store, into which one makes regular, usu. monthly, payments to cover bills. on a budget avoiding expense; cheap. ЬЬbudgetary adj. [ME = pouch, f. OF bougette dimin. of bouge leather bag f. L bulga (f. Gaulish) knapsack: cf. BULGE] budgie n. colloq. = BUDGERIGAR. [abbr.] buff adj., n., & v. --adj. of a yellowish beige colour (buff envelope). --n. 1 a yellowish beige colour. 2 colloq. an enthusiast, esp. for a particular hobby (railway buff). 3 colloq. the human skin unclothed. 4 a a velvety dull-yellow ox-leather. b (attrib.) (of a garment etc.) made of this (buff gloves). 5 (the Buffs) the former East Kent Regiment (from the colour of its uniform facings). --v.tr. 1 polish (metal, fingernails, etc.). 2 make (leather) velvety like buff, by removing the surface. Ьbuff-stick a stick covered with buff and used for polishing. in the buff colloq. naked. [orig. sense 'buffalo', prob. f. F buffle; sense 2 of n. orig. f. buff uniforms formerly worn by New York volunteer firemen, applied to enthusiastic fire-watchers] buffalo n. & v. --n. (pl. same or -oes) 1 either of two species of ox, Synceros caffer, native to Africa, or Bubalus arnee, native to Asia with heavy backswept horns. 2 a N. American bison, Bison bison. --v.tr. (-oes, -oed) US sl. overawe, outwit. Ьbuffalo grass 1 a grass, Buchloe dactyloides, of the N. American plains. 2 a grass, Stenotaphrum secundatum, of Australia and New Zealand. [prob. f. Port. bufalo f. LL bufalus f. L bubalus f. Gk boubalos antelope, wild ox] buffer(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a a device that protects against or reduces the effect of an impact. b Brit. such a device (usu. one of a pair) on the front and rear of a railway vehicle or at the end of a track. 2 Biochem. a substance that maintains the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution when an acid or alkali is added. 3 Computing a temporary memory area or queue for data to aid its transfer between devices or programs operating at different speeds etc. --v.tr. 1 act as a buffer to. 2 Biochem. treat with a buffer. Ьbuffer State a small State situated between two larger ones potentially hostile to one another and regarded as reducing the likelihood of open hostilities. buffer stock a reserve of commodity to offset price fluctuations. [prob. f. obs. buff (v.), imit. of the sound of a soft body struck] buffer(2) n. Brit. sl. a silly or incompetent old man (esp. old buffer). [18th c.: prob. formed as BUFFER(1) or with the sense 'stutterer'] buffet(1) n. 1 a room or counter where light meals or snacks may be bought (station buffet). 2 a meal consisting of several dishes set out from which guests serve themselves (buffet lunch). 3 also a sideboard or recessed cupboard for china etc. Ьbuffet car Brit. a railway coach serving light meals or snacks. [F f. OF bufet stool, of unkn. orig.] buffet(2) v. & n. --v. (buffeted, buffeting) 1 tr. a strike or knock repeatedly (wind buffeted the trees). b strike, esp. repeatedly, with the hand or fist. 2 tr. (of fate etc.) treat badly; plague (cheerful though buffeted by misfortune). 3 a intr. struggle; fight one's way (through difficulties etc.). b tr. contend with (waves etc.). --n. 1 a blow, esp. of the hand or fist. 2 a shock. [ME f. OF dimin. of bufe blow] buffeting n. 1 a beating; repeated blows. 2 Aeron. an irregular oscillation, caused by air eddies, of any part of an aircraft. bufflehead n. a duck, Bucephala albeola, native to N. America, with a head that appears over-large. [obs. buffle buffalo + HEAD] buffo n. & adj. --n. (pl. -os) a comic actor, esp. in Italian opera. --adj. comic, burlesque. [It.] buffoon n. 1 a jester; a mocker. 2 a stupid person. ЬЬbuffoonery n. buffoonish adj. [F bouffon f. It. buffone f. med.L buffo clown f. Rmc] bug n. & v. --n. 1 a any of various hemipterous insects with oval flattened bodies and mouthparts modified for piercing and sucking. b US any small insect. 2 sl. a micro-organism, esp. a bacterium, or a disease caused by it. 3 a concealed microphone. 4 sl. an error in a computer program or system etc. 5 sl. an obsession, enthusiasm, etc. --v. (bugged, bugging) 1 tr. sl. conceal a microphone in (esp. a building or room). 2 tr. sl. annoy, bother. 3 intr. (often foll. by out) US sl. leave quickly. Ьbug-eyed with bulging eyes. [17th c.: orig. unkn.] bugaboo n. a bogey (see BOGEY(2)) or bugbear. [prob. of dial. orig.: cf. Welsh bwcibo the Devil, bwci hobgoblin] bugbear n. 1 a cause of annoyance or anger; a b€te noire. 2 an object of baseless fear. 3 archaic a sort of hobgoblin or any being invoked to intimidate children. [obs. bug + BEAR(2)] bugger n., v., & int. coarse sl. (except in sense 2 of n. and 3 of v.) °Usually considered a taboo word. --n. 1 a an unpleasant or awkward person or thing (the bugger won't fit). b a person of a specified kind (he's a miserable bugger; you clever bugger!). 2 a person who commits buggery. --v.tr. 1 as an exclamation of annoyance (bugger the thing!). 2 (often foll. by up) Brit. a ruin; spoil (really buggered it up; no good, its buggered). b exhaust, tire out. 3 commit buggery with. --int. expressing annoyance. Ьbugger about (or around) (often foll. by with) 1 mess about. 2 mislead; persecute. bugger-all nothing. bugger off (often in imper.) go away. [ME f. MDu. f. OF bougre, orig. 'heretic' f. med.L Bulgarus Bulgarian (member of the Greek Church)] buggery n. 1 anal intercourse. 2 = BESTIALITY 2. [ME f. MDu. buggerie f. OF bougerie: see BUGGER] buggy(1) n. (pl. -ies) 1 a light, horse-drawn, esp. two-wheeled, vehicle for one or two people. 2 a small, sturdy, esp. open, motor vehicle (beach buggy; dune buggy). 3 US a pram. [18th c.: orig. unkn.] buggy(2) adj. (buggier, buggiest) infested with bugs. bugle(1) n. & v. --n. (also bugle-horn) a brass instrument like a small trumpet, used esp. by huntsmen and for military signals. --v. 1 intr. sound a bugle. 2 tr. sound (a note, a call, etc.) on a bugle. ЬЬbugler n. buglet n. [ME, orig. = 'buffalo', f. OF f. L buculus dimin. of bos ox] bugle(2) n. a blue-flowered mat-forming plant, Ajuga reptans. [ME f. LL bugula] bugle(3) n. a tube-shaped bead sewn on a dress etc. for ornament. [16th c.: orig. unkn.] bugloss n. 1 any of various bristly plants related to borage, esp. of the genus Anchusa with bright blue tubular flowers. 2 = viper's bugloss (see VIPER). [F buglosse or L buglossus f. Gk bouglossos ox-tongued] buhl n. (also boule, boulle) 1 pieces of brass, tortoiseshell, etc., cut to make a pattern and used as decorative inlays esp. on furniture. 2 work inlaid with buhl. 3 (attrib.) inlaid with buhl. [(buhl Germanized) f. A. C. Boule, Fr. wood-carver d. 1732] build v. & n. --v.tr. (past and past. part. built) 1 a construct (a house, vehicle, fire, road, model, etc.) by putting parts or material together. b commission, finance, and oversee the building of (the council has built two new schools). 2 (often foll. by up) establish, develop, make, or accumulate gradually (built the business up from nothing); (often foll. by on); base (hopes, theories, etc.) (ideas built on a false foundation). 3 (as built adj.) having a specified build (sturdily built; brick-built). --n. 1 the proportions of esp. the human body (a slim build). 2 a style of construction; a make (build of his suit was pre-war). Ьbuild in incorporate as part of a structure. build in (or round or up) surround with houses etc.; block up. build on add (an extension etc.). build up 1 increase in size or strength. 2 praise; boost. 3 gradually become established. build-up n. 1 a favourable description in advance; publicity. 2 a gradual approach to a climax or maximum (the build-up was slow but sure). built-in 1 forming an integral part of a structure. 2 forming an integral part of a person's character (built-in integrity). built on sand unstable. built-up 1 (of a locality) densely covered by houses etc. 2 increased in height etc. by the addition of parts. 3 composed of separately prepared parts. [OE byldan f. bold dwelling f. Gmc: cf. BOWER(1), BOOTH] builder n. 1 a contractor for building houses etc.; a master builder. 2 a person engaged as a bricklayer etc. on a building site. building n. 1 a permanent fixed structure forming an enclosure and providing protection from the elements etc. (e.g. a house, school, factory, or stable). 2 the constructing of such structures. Ьbuilding line a limit or boundary between a house and a street beyond which the owner may not build. building site an area before or during the construction of a house etc. building society Brit. a public finance company which accepts investments at interest and lends capital for mortgages on houses etc. built past and past part. of BUILD. bulb n. 1 a an underground fleshy-leaved storage organ of some plants (e.g. lily, onion) sending roots downwards and leaves upwards. b a plant grown from this, e.g. a daffodil. 2 = light-bulb (see LIGHT(1)). 3 any object or part shaped like a bulb. [L bulbus f. Gk bolbos onion] bulbous adj. 1 shaped like a bulb; fat or bulging. 2 having a bulb or bulbs. 3 (of a plant) growing from a bulb. bulbul n. 1 any songbird of the family Pycnonotidae, of dull plumage with contrasting bright patches. 2 a singer or poet. [Pers. f. Arab., of imit. orig.] Bulgar n. 1 a member of a tribe who settled in what is now Bulgaria in the 7th c. 2 a Bulgarian. [med.L Bulgarus f. OBulg. Blugarinu] bulgar var. of BULGUR. Bulgarian n. & adj. --n. 1 a a native or national of Bulgaria. b a person of Bulgarian descent. 2 the language of Bulgaria. --adj. of or relating to Bulgaria or its people or language. [med.L Bulgaria f. Bulgarus: see BULGAR] bulge n. & v. --n. 1 a a convex part of an otherwise flat or flatter surface. b an irregular swelling; a lump. 2 colloq. a temporary increase in quantity or number (baby bulge). 3 Naut. the bilge of a ship. 4 Mil. a salient. --v. 1 intr. swell outwards. 2 intr. be full or replete. 3 tr. swell (a bag, cheeks, etc.) by stuffing. Ьhave (or get) the bulge on sl. have or get an advantage over. ЬЬbulgingly adv. bulgy adj. [ME f. OF boulge, bouge f. L bulga: see BUDGET] bulgur n. (also bulgar, bulghur) a cereal food of whole wheat partially boiled then dried, eaten esp. in Turkey. [Turk.] bulimarexia n. esp. US = BULIMIA 2. ЬЬbulimarexic adj. & n. [BULIMIA + ANOREXIA] bulimia n. Med. 1 insatiable overeating. 2 (in full bulimia nervosa) an emotional disorder in which bouts of extreme overeating are followed by depression and self-induced vomiting, purging, or fasting. ЬЬbulimic adj. & n. [mod.L f. Gk boulimia f. bous ox + limos hunger] bulk n. & v. --n. 1 a size; magnitude (esp. large). b a large mass, body, or person. c a large quantity. 2 a large shape, body, or person (jacket barely covered his bulk). 3 (usu. prec. by the; treated as pl.) the greater part or number (the bulk of the applicants are women). 4 roughage. 5 Naut. cargo, esp. unpackaged. --v. 1 intr. seem in respect of size or importance (bulks large in his reckoning). 2 tr. make (a book, a textile yarn, etc.) seem thicker by suitable treatment (bulked it with irrelevant stories). 3 tr. combine (consignments etc.). Ьbreak bulk begin unloading (cargo). bulk-buying 1 buying in large amounts at a discount. 2 the purchase by one buyer of all or most of a producer's output. in bulk 1 in large quantities. 2 (of a cargo) loose, not packaged. [sense 'cargo' f. OIcel. bЈlki; sense 'mass' etc. perh. alt. f. obs. bouk (cf. BUCK(3))] bulkhead n. an upright partition separating the compartments in a ship, aircraft, vehicle, etc. [bulk stall f. ON b lkr + HEAD] bulky adj. (bulkier, bulkiest) 1 taking up much space, large. 2 awkwardly large, unwieldy. ЬЬbulkily adv. bulkiness n. bull(1) n., adj., & v. --n. 1 a an uncastrated male bovine animal. b a male of the whale, elephant, and other large animals. 2 (the Bull) the zodiacal sign or constellation Taurus. 3 Brit. the bull's-eye of a target. 4 Stock Exch. a person who buys shares hoping to sell them at a higher price later (cf. BEAR(2)). --adj. like that of a bull (bull neck). --v. 1 tr. & intr. act or treat violently. 2 Stock Exch. a intr. speculate for a rise. b tr. raise price of (stocks, etc.). Ьbull ant Austral. = bulldog ant. bull at a gate a hasty or rash person. bull-fiddle US colloq. a double-bass. bull-horn a megaphone. bull in a china shop a reckless or clumsy person. bull market a market with shares rising in price. bull-nose (or -nosed) with rounded end. bull session US an informal group discussion. bull's-eye 1 the centre of a target. 2 a large hard peppermint-flavoured sweet. 3 a hemisphere or thick disc of glass in a ship's deck or side to admit light. 4 a small circular window. 5 a a hemispherical lens. b a lantern fitted with this. 6 a boss of glass at the centre of a blown glass sheet. bull-terrier 1 a short-haired dog of a breed that is a cross between a bulldog and a terrier. 2 this breed. take the bull by the horns face danger or challenge boldly. ЬЬbullish adj. [ME f. ON boli = MLG, MDu bulle] bull(2) n. a papal edict. [ME f. OF bulle f. L bulla rounded object, in med.L 'seal'] bull(3) n. 1 (also Irish bull) an expression containing a contradiction in terms or implying ludicrous inconsistency. 2 sl. a unnecessary routine tasks or discipline. b nonsense. c trivial or insincere talk or writing. d US a bad blunder (cf. BULLSHIT). [17th c.: orig. unkn.] bullace n. a thorny shrub, Prunus insititia, bearing globular yellow or purple-black fruits, of which the damson is the cultivated form. [ME f. OF buloce, beloce] bulldog n. 1 a a dog of a sturdy powerful breed with a large head and smooth hair. b this breed. 2 a tenacious and courageous person. Ьbulldog ant Austral. a large ant with a powerful sting. bulldog clip a strong sprung clip for papers. bulldoze v.tr. 1 clear with a bulldozer. 2 colloq. a intimidate. b make (one's way) forcibly. bulldozer n. 1 a powerful tractor with a broad curved vertical blade at the front for clearing ground. 2 a forceful and domineering person. [bulldose (or - doze) US = intimidate, f. BULL(1): second element uncert.] bullet n. a small round or cylindrical missile with a pointed end, fired from a rifle, revolver, etc. Ьbullet-headed having a round head. [F boulet, boulette dimin. of boule ball f. L bulla bubble] bulletin n. 1 a short official statement of news. 2 a regular list of information etc. issued by an organization or society. Ьbulletin-board US a notice-board. [F f. It. bullettino dimin. of bulletta passport, dimin. of bulla seal, BULL(2)] bulletproof adj. & v. --adj. (of a material) designed to resist the penetration of bullets. --v.tr. make bulletproof. bullfight n. a sport of baiting and (usu.) killing bulls as a public spectacle, esp. in Spain. ЬЬbullfighter n. bullfighting n. bullfinch n. a finch, Pyrrhula pyrrhula, with a short stout beak and bright plumage. bullfrog n. a large frog, Rana catesbiana, native to N. America, with a bellowing croak. bullhead n. any of various marine fishes with large flattened heads. bull-headed adj. obstinate; impetuous; blundering. ЬЬbull-headedly adv. bull-headedness n. bullion n. a metal (esp. gold or silver) in bulk before coining, or valued by weight. [AF = mint, var. of OF bouillon ult. f. L bullire boil] bullish adj. 1 like a bull, esp. in temper. 2 Stock Exch. causing or associated with a rise in prices. bullock n. & v. --n. a castrated bull. --v.intr. (often foll. by at) Austral. colloq. work very hard. [OE bulluc, dimin. of BULL(1)] bullocky n. Austral. & NZ colloq. a bullock-driver. bullring n. an arena for bullfights. bullshit n. & v. coarse sl. --n. 1 (often as int.) nonsense, rubbish. 2 trivial or insincere talk or writing. --v.intr. (-shitted, -shitting) talk nonsense; bluff. ЬЬbullshitter n. [BULL(3) + SHIT] bulltrout n. Brit. a salmon trout. bully(1) n. & v. --n. (pl. -ies) a person who uses strength or power to coerce others by fear. --v.tr. (-ies, -ied) 1 persecute or oppress by force or threats. 2 (foll. by into + verbal noun) pressure or coerce (a person) to do something (bullied him into agreeing). Ьbully-boy a hired ruffian. [orig. as a term of endearment, prob. f. MDu. boele lover] bully(2) adj. & int. colloq. --adj. very good; first-rate. --int. (foll. by for) expressing admiration or approval, or iron. (bully for them!). [perh. f BULLY(1)] bully(3) n. & v. (in full bully off) --n. (pl. -ies) the start of play in hockey in which two opponents strike each other's sticks three times and then go for the ball. --v.intr. (-ies, -ied) start play in this way. [19th c.: perh. f. bully scrum in Eton football, of unkn. orig.] bully(4) n. (in full bully beef) corned beef. [F bouilli boiled beef f. bouillir BOIL(1)] bullyrag var. of BALLYRAG. bully tree n. = BALATA. [corrupt.] bulrush n. 1 = reed-mace (see REED(1)). 2 a rushlike water-plant, Scirpus lacustris, used for weaving. 3 Bibl. a papyrus plant. [perh. f. BULL(1) = large, coarse, as in bullfrog, bulltrout, etc.] bulwark n. 1 a defensive wall, esp. of earth; a rampart; a mole or breakwater. 2 a person, principle, etc., that acts as a defence. 3 (usu. in pl.) a ship's side above deck. [ME f. MLG, MDu. bolwerk: see BOLE(1), WORK] bum(1) n. Brit. sl. the buttocks. Ьbum-bailiff hist. a bailiff empowered to collect debts or arrest debtors for non-payment. bum-boat any small boat plying with provisions etc. for ships. bum-sucker sl. a toady. bum-sucking toadying. [ME bom, of unkn. orig.] bum(2) n., v., & adj. US sl. --n. a habitual loafer or tramp; a lazy dissolute person. --v. (bummed, bumming) 1 intr. (often foll. by about, around) loaf or wander around; be a bum. 2 tr. get by begging; cadge. --attrib.adj. of poor quality. Ьbum rap imprisonment on a false charge. bum's rush forcible ejection. bum steer false information. on the bum vagrant, begging. [prob. abbr. or back-form. f. BUMMER] bumble v.intr. 1 (foll. by on) speak in a rambling incoherent way. 2 (often as bumbling adj.) move or act ineptly; blunder. 3 make a buzz or hum. ЬЬbumbler n. [BOOM(1) + -LE(4): partly f. bumble = blunderer] bumble-bee n. any large loud humming bee of the genus Bombus. [as BUMBLE] bumf n. (also bumph) Brit. colloq. 1 usu. derog. papers, documents. 2 lavatory paper. [abbr. of bum-fodder] bummalo n. (pl. same) a small fish, Harpodon nehereus, of S. Asian coasts, dried and used as food (see BOMBAY DUCK). [perh. f. Marathi bombil(a)] bummer n. US sl. 1 an idler; a loafer. 2 an unpleasant occurrence. [19th c.: perh. f. G Bummler] bump n., v., & adv. --n. 1 a dull-sounding blow or collision. 2 a swelling or dent caused by this. 3 an uneven patch on a road, field, etc. 4 Phrenol. any of various prominences on the skull thought to indicate different mental faculties. 5 (in narrow-river races where boats make a spaced start one behind another) the point at which a boat begins to overtake (and usu. touches) the boat ahead, thereby defeating it. 6 Aeron. a an irregularity in an aircraft's motion. b a rising air current causing this. --v. 1 a tr. hit or come against with a bump. b intr. (of two objects) collide. 2 intr. (foll. by against, into) hit with a bump; collide with. 3 tr. (often foll. by against, on) hurt or damage by striking (bumped my head on the ceiling; bumped the car while parking). 4 intr. (usu. foll. by along) move or travel with much jolting (we bumped along the road). 5 tr. (in a boat-race) gain a bump against. 6 tr. US displace, esp. by seniority. --adv. with a bump; suddenly; violently. Ьbump into colloq. meet by chance. bump off sl. murder. bump up colloq. increase (prices etc.). [16th c., imit.: perh. f. Scand.] bumper n. 1 a horizontal bar or strip fixed across the front or back of a motor vehicle to reduce damage in a collision or as a trim. 2 (usu. attrib.) an unusually large or fine example (a bumper crop). 3 Cricket a ball rising high after pitching. 4 a brim-full glass of wine etc. Ьbumper car = DODGEM. bumph var. of BUMF. bumpkin n. a rustic or socially inept person. [perh. Du. boomken little tree or MDu. bommekijn little barrel] bumptious adj. offensively self-assertive or conceited. ЬЬbumptiously adv. bumptiousness n. [BUMP, after FRACTIOUS] bumpy adj. (bumpier, bumpiest) 1 having many bumps (a bumpy road). 2 affected by bumps (a bumpy ride). ЬЬbumpily adv. bumpiness n. bun n. 1 a small usu. sweetened bread roll or cake, often with dried fruit. 2 Sc. a rich fruit cake or currant bread. 3 hair worn in the shape of a bun. Ьbun fight Brit. sl. a tea party. have a bun in the oven sl. be pregnant. hot cross bun a bun marked with a cross, traditionally eaten on Good Friday. [ME: orig. unkn.] buna n. a synthetic rubber made by polymerization of butadiene. [G (as BUTADIENE, natrium sodium)] bunch n. & v. --n. 1 a cluster of things growing or fastened together (bunch of grapes; bunch of keys). 2 a collection; a set or lot (best of the bunch). 3 colloq. a group; a gang. --v. 1 tr. make into a bunch or bunches; gather into close folds. 2 intr. form into a group or crowd. Ьbunch grass a N. American grass that grows in clumps. bunch of fives sl. a fist. ЬЬbunchy adj. [ME: orig. unkn.] bunco n. & v. US sl. --n. (pl. -os) a swindle, esp. by card-sharping or a confidence trick. --v.tr. (-oes, -oed) swindle, cheat. [perh. f. Sp. banca a card-game] buncombe var. of BUNKUM. Bundesrat n. the Upper House of Parliament in the Federal Republic of Germany or in Austria. [G f. Bund federation + Rat council] Bundestag n. the Lower House of Parliament in the Federal Republic of Germany. [G f. Bund federation + tagen confer] bundle n. & v. --n. 1 a collection of things tied or fastened together. 2 a set of nerve fibres etc. banded together. 3 sl. a large amount of money. --v. 1 tr. (usu. foll. by up) tie in or make into a bundle (bundled up my squash kit). 2 tr. (usu. foll. by into) throw or push, esp. quickly or confusedly (bundled the papers into the drawer). 3 tr. (usu. foll. by out, off, away, etc.) send (esp. a person) away hurriedly or unceremoniously (bundled them off the premises). 4 intr. sleep clothed with another person, esp. a fianc‚(e), as a local custom. Ьbe a bundle of nerves (or prejudices etc) be extremely nervous (or prejudiced etc.). bundle up dress warmly or cumbersomely. go a bundle on sl. be very fond of. ЬЬbundler n. [ME, perh. f. OE byndelle a binding, but also f. LG, Du bundel] bung(1) n. & v. --n. a stopper for closing a hole in a container, esp. a cask. --v.tr. 1 stop with a bung. 2 Brit. sl. throw, toss. Ьbunged up closed, blocked. bung-hole a hole for filling or emptying a cask etc. [MDu. bonghe] bung(2) adj. Austral. & NZ sl. dead; ruined, useless. Ьgo bung 1 die. 2 fail; go bankrupt. [Aboriginal] bungalow n. a one-storeyed house. [Gujarati bangalo f. Hind. bangla belonging to Bengal] bungle v. & n. --v. 1 tr. blunder over, mismanage, or fail at (a task). 2 intr. work badly or clumsily. --n. a bungled attempt; bungled work. ЬЬbungler n. [imit.: cf. BUMBLE] bunion n. a swelling on the foot, esp. at the first joint of the big toe. [OF buignon f. buigne bump on the head] bunk(1) n. a sleeping-berth, esp. a shelflike bed against a wall, e.g. in a ship. Ьbunk-bed each of two or more beds one above the other, forming a unit. bunk-house a house where workmen etc. are lodged. [18th c.: orig. unkn.] bunk(2) n. Ьdo a bunk Brit. sl. leave or abscond hurriedly. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] bunk(3) n. sl. nonsense, humbug. [abbr. of BUNKUM] bunker n. & v. --n. 1 a large container or compartment for storing fuel. 2 a reinforced underground shelter, esp. for use in wartime. 3 a hollow filled with sand, used as an obstacle in a golf-course. --v.tr. 1 fill the fuel bunkers of (a ship etc.). 2 (usu. in passive) a trap in a bunker (in sense 3). b bring into difficulties. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] bunkum n. (also buncombe) nonsense; humbug. [orig. buncombe f. Buncombe County in N. Carolina, mentioned in a nonsense speech by its Congressman, c.1820] bunny n. (pl. -ies) 1 a child's name for a rabbit. 2 Austral. sl. a victim or dupe. 3 (in full bunny girl) a club hostess, waitress, etc., wearing a skimpy costume with ears and a tail suggestive of a rabbit. [dial. bun rabbit] Bunsen burner n. a small adjustable gas burner used in scientific work as a source of great heat. [R. W. Bunsen, Ger. chemist d. 1899] bunt(1) n. the baggy centre of a fishing-net, sail, etc. [16th c.: orig. unkn.] bunt(2) n. a disease of wheat caused by the fungus Tilletia caries. [18th c.: orig. unkn.] bunt(3) v. & n. --v. 1 tr. & intr. push with the head or horns; butt. 2 tr. US Baseball stop (a ball) with the bat without swinging. --n. an act of bunting. [19th c.: cf. BUTT(1)] buntal n. the straw from a talipot palm. [Tagalog] bunting(1) n. any of numerous seed-eating birds of the family Emberizidae, related to the finches and sparrows. [ME: orig. unkn.] bunting(2) n. 1 flags and other decorations. 2 a loosely-woven fabric used for these. [18th c.: orig. unkn.] buntline n. a line for confining the bunt (see BUNT(1)) when furling a sail. bunya n. (also bunya bunya) Austral. a tall coniferous tree, Araucaria bidwillii, bearing large nutritious cones. [Aboriginal] bunyip n. Austral. 1 a fabulous monster inhabiting swamps and lagoons. 2 an imposter. [Aboriginal] buoy n. & v. --n. 1 an anchored float serving as a navigation mark or to show reefs etc. 2 a lifebuoy. --v.tr. 1 (usu. foll. by up) a keep afloat. b sustain the courage or spirits of (a person etc.); uplift, encourage. 2 (often foll. by out) mark with a buoy or buoys. [ME prob. f. MDu. bo(e)ye, ult. f. L boia collar f. Gk boeiai ox-hides] buoyancy n. 1 the capacity to be or remain buoyant. 2 resilience; recuperative power. 3 cheerfulness. buoyant adj. 1 a able or apt to keep afloat or rise to the top of a liquid or gas. b (of a liquid or gas) able to keep something afloat. 2 light-hearted. ЬЬbuoyantly adv. [F buoyant or Sp. boyante part. of boyar float f. boya BUOY] bur n. (also burr) 1 a a prickly clinging seed-case or flower-head. b any plant producing these. 2 a person hard to shake off. 3 = BURR n. 2. Ьbur oak a N. American oak, Quercus macrocarpa with large fringed acorn-cups. [ME: cf. Da. burre bur, burdock, Sw. kard-borre burdock] burble v. & n. --v.intr. 1 speak ramblingly; make a murmuring noise. 2 Aeron. (of an air-flow) break up into turbulence. --n. 1 a murmuring noise. 2 rambling speech. ЬЬburbler n. [19th c.: imit.] burbot n. an eel-like flat-headed bearded freshwater fish, Lota lota. [ME: cf. OF barbote] burden n. & v. --n. 1 a load, esp. a heavy one. 2 an oppressive duty, obligation, expense, emotion, etc. 3 the bearing of loads (beast of burden). 4 (also archaic burthen) a ship's carrying-capacity, tonnage. 5 a the refrain or chorus of a song. b the chief theme or gist of a speech, book, poem, etc. --v.tr. load with a burden; encumber, oppress. Ьburden of proof the obligation to prove one's case. ЬЬburdensome adj. [OE byrthen: rel. to BIRTH] burdock n. any plant of the genus Arctium, with prickly flowers and docklike leaves. [BUR + DOCK(3)] bureau n. (pl. bureaux or bureaus) 1 a Brit. a writing-desk with drawers and usu. an angled top opening downwards to form a writing surface. b US a chest of drawers. 2 a an office or department for transacting specific business. b a government department. [F, = desk, orig. its baize covering, f. OF burel f. bure, buire dark brown ult. f. Gk purros red] bureaucracy n. (pl. -ies) 1 a government by central administration. b a State or organization so governed. 2 the officials of such a government, esp. regarded as oppressive and inflexible. 3 conduct typical of such officials. [F bureaucratie: see BUREAU] bureaucrat n. 1 an official in a bureaucracy. 2 an inflexible or insensitive administrator. ЬЬbureaucratic adj. bureaucratically adv. [F bureaucrate (as BUREAUCRACY)] bureaucratize v.tr. (also -ise) govern by or transform into a bureaucratic system. ЬЬbureaucratization n. burette n. (US buret) a graduated glass tube with an end-tap for measuring small volumes of liquid in chemical analysis. [F] burg n. US colloq. a town or city. [see BOROUGH] burgage n. hist. (in England and Scotland) tenure of land in a town on a yearly rent. [ME f. med.L burgagium f. burgus BOROUGH] burgee n. a triangular or swallow-tailed flag bearing the colours or emblem of a sailing-club. [18th c.: perh. = (ship)owner, ult. F bourgeois: see BURGESS] burgeon v. & n. literary --v.intr. 1 begin to grow rapidly; flourish. 2 put forth young shoots; bud. --n. a bud or young shoot. [ME f. OF bor-, burjon ult. f. LL burra wool] burger n. 1 colloq. a hamburger. 2 (in comb.) a certain kind of hamburger or variation of it (beefburger; nutburger). [abbr.] burgess n. 1 Brit. an inhabitant of a town or borough, esp. of one with full municipal rights. 2 Brit. hist. a Member of Parliament for a borough, corporate town, or university. 3 US a borough magistrate or governor. [ME f. OF burgeis ult. f. LL burgus BOROUGH] burgh n. hist. a Scottish borough or chartered town. °This status was abolished in 1975. ЬЬburghal adj. [Sc. form of BOROUGH] burgher n. 1 a citizen or freeman, esp. of a Continental town. 2 S.Afr. hist. a citizen of a Boer republic. 3 a descendant of a Dutch or Portuguese colonist in Sri Lanka. [G Burger or Du. burger f. Burg, burg BOROUGH] burglar n. a person who commits burglary. ЬЬburglarious adj. [legal AF burgler, rel. to OF burgier pillage] burglarize v.tr. & intr. (also -ise) US = BURGLE. burglary n. (pl. -ies) 1 entry into a building illegally with intent to commit theft, do bodily harm, or do damage. 2 an instance of this. °Before 1968 in English law a crime under statute and in common law; after 1968 a statutory crime only (cf. HOUSEBREAKING). [legal AF burglarie: see BURGLAR] burgle v. 1 tr. commit burglary on (a building or person). 2 intr. commit burglary. [back-form. f BURGLAR] burgomaster n. the mayor of a Dutch or Flemish town. [Du. burgemeester f. burg BOROUGH: assim. to MASTER] burgrave n. hist. the ruler of a town or castle. [G Burggraf f. Burg BOROUGH + Graf COUNT(2)] burgundy n. (pl. -ies) 1 a the wine (usu. red) of Burgundy in E. France. b a similar wine from another place. 2 the red colour of Burgundy wine. burhel var. of BHARAL. burial n. 1 a the burying of a dead body. b a funeral. 2 Archaeol. a grave or its remains. Ьburial-ground a cemetery. [ME, erron. formed as sing. of OE byrgels f. Gmc: rel. to BURY] burin n. 1 a steel tool for engraving on copper or wood. 2 Archaeol. a flint tool with a chisel point. [F] burk var. of BERK. burka n. a long enveloping garment worn in public by Muslim women. [Hind. f. Arab. burka'] Burkitt's lymphoma n. Med. a malignant tumour of the lymphatic system, esp. affecting children of Central Africa. [D. P. Burkitt, Brit. surgeon b. 1911] burl n. 1 a knot or lump in wool or cloth. 2 US a flattened knotty growth on a tree. [ME f. OF bourle tuft of wool, dimin. of bourre coarse wool f. LL burra wool] burlap n. 1 coarse canvas esp. of jute used for sacking etc. 2 a similar lighter material for use in dressmaking or furnishing. [17th c.: orig. unkn.] burlesque n., adj., & v. --n. 1 a comic imitation, esp. in parody of a dramatic or literary work. b a performance or work of this kind. c bombast, mock-seriousness. 2 US a variety show, often including striptease. --adj. of or in the nature of burlesque. --v.tr. (burlesques, burlesqued, burlesquing) make or give a burlesque of. ЬЬburlesquer n. [F f. It. burlesco f. burla mockery] burly adj. (burlier, burliest) of stout sturdy build; big and strong. ЬЬburliness n. [ME borli prob. f. an OE form = 'fit for the bower' (BOWER(1))] Burman adj. & n. (pl. Burmans) = BURMESE. Burmese n. & adj. --n. (pl. same) 1 a a native or national of Burma (now Myanmar) in SE Asia. b a person of Burmese descent. 2 a member of the largest ethnic group of Burma. 3 the language of this group. --adj. of or relating to Burma or its people or language. burn(1) v. & n. --v. (past and past part. burnt or burned) 1 tr. & intr. be or cause to be consumed or destroyed by fire. 2 intr. a blaze or glow with fire. b be in the state characteristic of fire. 3 tr. & intr. be or cause to be injured or damaged by fire or great heat or by radiation. 4 tr. & intr. use or be used as a source of heat, light, or other energy. 5 tr. & intr. char or scorch in cooking (burned the vegetables; the vegetables are burning). 6 tr. produce (a hole, a mark, etc.) by fire or heat. 7 tr. a subject (clay, chalk, etc.) to heat for a purpose. b harden (bricks) by fire. c make (lime or charcoal) by heat. 8 tr. colour, tan, or parch with heat or light (we were burnt brown by the sun). 9 tr. & intr. put or be put to death by fire. 10 tr. a cauterize, brand. b (foll. by in) imprint by burning. 11 tr. & intr. make or be hot, give or feel a sensation or pain of or like heat. 12 tr. & intr. (often foll. by with) make or be passionate; feel or cause to feel great emotion (burn with shame). 13 intr. sl. drive fast. 14 tr. US sl. anger, infuriate. 15 intr. (foll. by into) (of acid etc.) gradually penetrate (into) causing disintegration. --n. 1 a mark or injury caused by burning. 2 the ignition of a rocket engine in flight, giving extra thrust. 3 US, Austral., & NZ a forest area cleared by burning. 4 sl. a cigarette. 5 sl. a car race. Ьburn one's boats (or bridges) commit oneself irrevocably. burn the candle at both ends exhaust one's strength or resources by undertaking too much. burn down 1 a destroy (a building) by burning. b (of a building) be destroyed by fire. 2 burn less vigorously as fuel fails. burn one's fingers suffer for meddling or rashness. burn a hole in one's pocket (of money) be quickly spent. burning-glass a lens for concentrating the sun's rays on an object to burn it. burn low (of fire) be nearly out. burn the midnight oil read or work late into the night. burn out 1 be reduced to nothing by burning. 2 fail or cause to fail by burning. 3 (usu. refl.) esp. US suffer physical or emotional exhaustion. 4 consume the contents of by burning. 5 make (a person) homeless by burning his or her house. burn-out n. US 1 physical or emotional exhaustion, esp. caused by stress. 2 depression, disillusionment. burnt ochre (or sienna or umber) a pigment darkened by burning. burnt offering 1 an offering burnt on an altar as a sacrifice. 2 joc. overcooked food. burnt-out physically or emotionally exhausted. burn up 1 get rid of by fire. 2 begin to blaze. 3 US sl. be or make furious. have money to burn have more money than one needs. [OE birnan, b‘rnan f. Gmc] burn(2) n. Sc. a small stream. [OE burna etc. f. Gmc] burner n. the part of a gas cooker, lamp, etc. that emits and shapes the flame. Ьon the back (or front) burner colloq. receiving little (or much) attention. burnet n. 1 any rosaceous plant of the genus Sanguisorba, with pink or red flowers. 2 any of several diurnal moths of the family Zygaenidae, with crimson spots on greenish-black wings. [obs. burnet (adj.) dark brown f. OF burnete] burning adj. 1 ardent, intense (burning desire). 2 hotly discussed, exciting (burning question). 3 flagrant (burning shame). Ьburning bush 1 any of various shrubs with red fruits or red autumn leaves (with ref. to Exod. 3:2). 2 fraxinella. ЬЬburningly adv. burnish v.tr. polish by rubbing. ЬЬburnisher n. [ME f. OF burnir = brunir f. brun BROWN] burnous n. an Arab or Moorish hooded cloak. [F f. Arab. burnus f. Gk birros cloak] burnt see BURN(1). burp v. & n. colloq. --v. 1 intr. belch. 2 tr. make (a baby) belch, usu. by patting its back. --n. a belch. Ьburp gun US sl. an automatic pistol. [imit.] burr n. & v. --n. 1 a a whirring sound. b a rough sounding of the letter r. 2 (also bur) a a rough edge left on cut or punched metal or paper. b a surgeon's or dentist's small drill. 3 a a siliceous rock used for millstones. b a whetstone. 4 = BUR 1, 2. 5 the coronet of a deer's antler. --v. 1 tr. pronounce with a burr. 2 intr. speak indistinctly. 3 intr. make a whirring sound. [var. of BUR] burrawang n. Austral. 1 any palmlike tree of the genus Macrozamia. 2 the nut produced by this tree. [Mount Budawang in New South Wales] burrito n. (pl. -os) US a tortilla rolled round a savoury filling. [Amer. Sp., dimin. of burro BURRO] burro n. (pl. -os) US a small donkey used as a pack-animal. [Sp.] burrow n. & v. --n. a hole or tunnel dug by a small animal, esp. a rabbit, as a dwelling. --v. 1 intr. make or live in a burrow. 2 tr. make (a hole etc.) by digging. 3 intr. hide oneself. 4 intr. (foll. by into) investigate, search. ЬЬburrower n. [ME, app. var. of BOROUGH] bursa n. (pl. bursae or bursas) Anat. a fluid-filled sac or saclike cavity to lessen friction. ЬЬbursal adj. [med.L = bag: cf. PURSE] bursar n. 1 a treasurer, esp. the person in charge of the funds and other property of a college. 2 the holder of a bursary. ЬЬbursarship n. [F boursier or (in sense 1) med.L bursarius f. bursa bag] bursary n. (pl. -ies) 1 a grant, esp. a scholarship. 2 the post or room of a bursar. ЬЬbursarial adj. [med.L bursaria (as BURSAR)] bursitis n. inflammation of a bursa. burst v. & n. --v. (past and past part. burst) 1 a intr. break suddenly and violently apart by expansion of contents or internal pressure. b tr. cause to do this. c tr. send (a container etc.) violently apart. 2 a tr. open forcibly. b intr. come open or be opened forcibly. 3 a intr. (usu. foll. by in, out) make one's way suddenly, dramatically, or by force. b tr. break away from or through (the river burst its banks). 4 tr. & intr. fill or be full to overflowing. 5 intr. appear or come suddenly (burst into flame; burst upon the view; sun burst out). 6 intr. (foll. by into) suddenly begin to shed or utter (esp. burst into tears or laughter or song). 7 intr. be as if about to burst because of effort, excitement, etc. 8 tr. suffer bursting of (burst a blood-vessel). 9 tr. separate (continuous stationery) into single sheets. --n. 1 the act of or an instance of bursting; a split. 2 a sudden issuing forth (burst of flame). 3 a sudden outbreak (burst of applause). 4 a a short sudden effort; a spurt. b a gallop. 5 an explosion. Ьburst out 1 suddenly begin (burst out laughing). 2 exclaim. [OE berstan f. Gmc] burstproof adj. (of a door lock) able to withstand a violent impact. burthen archaic var. of BURDEN n. 4. burton(1) n. Ьgo for a burton Brit. sl. be lost or destroyed or killed. [20th c.: perh. Burton ale f. Burton-on-Trent in England] burton(2) n. a light two-block tackle for hoisting. [ME Breton tackles: see BRETON] bury v.tr. (-ies, -ied) 1 place (a dead body) in the earth, in a tomb, or in the sea. 2 lose by death (has buried three husbands). 3 a put under ground (bury alive). b hide (treasure, a bone, etc.) in the earth. c cover up; submerge. 4 a put out of sight (buried his face in his hands). b consign to obscurity (the idea was buried after brief discussion). c put away; forget. 5 involve deeply (buried himself in his work; was buried in a book). Ьbury the hatchet cease to quarrel. burying-beetle a sexton beetle. burying-ground (or -place) a cemetery. [OE byrgan f. WG: cf. BURIAL] bus n. & v. --n. (pl. buses or US busses) 1 a large passenger vehicle, esp. one serving the public on a fixed route. 2 colloq. a motor car, aeroplane, etc. 3 Computing a defined set of conductors carrying data and control signals within a computer. --v. (buses or busses, bussed, bussing) 1 intr. go by bus. 2 tr. US transport by bus, esp. to promote racial integration. Ьbus lane a part of a road's length marked off mainly for use by buses. bus shelter a shelter from rain etc. beside a bus stop. bus station a centre, esp. in a town, where (esp. long-distance) buses depart and arrive. bus-stop 1 a regular stopping-place of a bus. 2 a sign marking this. [abbr. of OMNIBUS] busbar n. Electr. a system of conductors in a generating or receiving station on which power is concentrated for distribution. busby n. (pl. -ies) (not in official use) a tall fur hat worn by hussars etc. [18th c.: orig. unkn.] bush(1) n. 1 a shrub or clump of shrubs with stems of moderate length. 2 a thing resembling this, esp. a clump of hair or fur. 3 (esp. in Australia and Africa) a wild uncultivated district; woodland or forest. 4 hist. a bunch of ivy as a vintner's sign. Ьbush-baby (pl. -ies) a small African tree-climbing lemur; a galago. bush basil a culinary herb, Ocimum minimum. bush jacket a light cotton jacket with a belt. bush lawyer 1 Austral. & NZ a person claiming legal knowledge without qualifications for it. 2 NZ a bramble. bush-ranger hist. an Australian outlaw living in the bush. bush sickness a disease of animals due to a lack of cobalt in the soil. bush telegraph rapid spreading of information, a rumour, etc. go bush Austral. leave one's usual surroundings; run wild. [ME f. OE & ON, ult. f. Gmc] bush(2) n. & v. --n. 1 a metal lining for a round hole enclosing a revolving shaft etc. 2 a sleeve providing electrical insulation. --v.tr. provide with a bush. [MDu. busse BOX(1)] bushbuck n. a small antelope, Tragelaphus scriptus, of southern Africa, having a chestnut coat with white stripes. [BUSH(1) + BUCK(1), after Du. boschbok f. bosch bush] bushed adj. colloq. 1 Austral. & NZ a lost in the bush. b bewildered. 2 US tired out. bushel n. a measure of capacity for corn, fruit, liquids, etc. (Brit. 8 gallons, or 36.4 litres; US 64 US pints). ЬЬbushelful n. (pl. -fuls). [ME f. OF buissiel etc., perh. of Gaulish orig.] bushfire n. a fire in a forest or in scrub often spreading widely. bushido n. the code of honour and morals evolved by the Japanese samurai. [Jap., = military knight's way] bushing n. = BUSH(2) n. bushman n. (pl. -men) 1 a person who lives or travels in the Australian bush. 2 (Bushman) a a member of an aboriginal people in S. Africa. b the language of this people. [BUSH(1) + MAN: sense 2 after Du. boschjesman f. bosch bush] bushmaster n. a venomous viper, Lachesis muta, of Central and S. America. [perh. f. Du. boschmeester] bushveld n. open country consisting largely of bush. [BUSH(1) + VELD, after Afrik. bosveld] bushwhack v. 1 intr. US, Austral., & NZ a clear woods and bush country. b live or travel in bush country. 2 tr. US ambush. bushwhacker n. 1 US, Austral., & NZ a a person who clears woods and bush country. b a person who lives or travels in bush country. 2 US a guerrilla fighter (orig. in the American Civil war). bushy(1) adj. (bushier, bushiest) 1 growing thickly like a bush. 2 having many bushes. 3 covered with bush. ЬЬbushily adv. bushiness n. bushy(2) n. (pl. -ies) Austral. & NZ colloq. a person who lives in the bush (as distinct from in a town). busily adv. in a busy manner. business n. 1 one's regular occupation, profession, or trade. 2 a thing that is one's concern. 3 a a task or duty. b a reason for coming (what is your business?). 4 serious work or activity (get down to business). 5 derog. a an affair, a matter (sick of the whole business). b a structure (a lath-and-plaster business). 6 a thing or series of things needing to be dealt with (the business of the day). 7 buying and selling; trade (good stroke of business). 8 a commercial house or firm. 9 Theatr. action on stage. 10 a difficult matter (what a business it is!; made a great business of it). Ьbusiness card a card printed with one's name and professional details. the business end colloq. the functional part of a tool or device. business park an area designed to accommodate businesses and light industry. business person a businessman or businesswoman. business studies training in economics, management, etc. has no business to has no right to. in business 1 trading or dealing. 2 able to begin operations. in the business of 1 engaged in. 2 intending to (we are not in the business of surrendering). like nobody's business colloq. extraordinarily. make it one's business to undertake to. mind one's own business not meddle. on business with a definite purpose, esp. one relating to one's regular occupation. send a person about his or her business dismiss a person; send a person away. [OE bisignis (as BUSY, -NESS)] businesslike adj. efficient, systematic, practical. businessman n. (pl. -men; fem. businesswoman, pl. -women) a man or woman engaged in trade or commerce, esp. at a senior level (see also business person). busk v.intr. perform (esp. music) for voluntary donations, usu. in the street or in subways. ЬЬbusker n. busking n. [busk peddle etc. (perh. f. obs. F busquer seek)] buskin n. 1 either of a pair of thick-soled laced boots worn by an ancient Athenian tragic actor to gain height. 2 (usu. prec. by the) tragic drama; its style or spirit. 3 hist. either of a pair of calf- or knee-high boots of cloth or leather worn in the Middle Ages. ЬЬbuskined adj. [prob. f. OF bouzequin, var. of bro(u)sequin, of unkn. orig.] busman n. (pl. -men) the driver of a bus. Ьbusman's holiday leisure time spent in an activity similar to one's regular work. buss n. & v. archaic or US colloq. --n. a kiss. --v.tr. kiss. [earlier bass (n. & v.): cf. F baiser f. L basiare] bust(1) n. 1 a the human chest, esp. that of a woman; the bosom. b the circumference of the body at bust level (a 36-inch bust). 2 a sculpture of a person's head, shoulders, and chest. [F buste f. It. busto, of unkn. orig.] bust(2) v., n., & adj. --v. (past and past part. busted or bust) colloq. 1 tr. & intr. burst, break. 2 tr. esp. US reduce (a soldier etc.) to a lower rank; dismiss. 3 tr. esp. US a raid, search. b arrest. --n. 1 a sudden failure; a bankruptcy. 2 a police raid. 3 a drinking-bout. 4 esp. US a punch; a hit. 5 a worthless thing. 6 a bad hand at cards. --adj. (also busted) 1 broken, burst, collapsed. 2 bankrupt. Ьbust up 1 bring or come to collapse; explode. 2 (of esp. a married couple) separate. bust-up n. 1 a quarrel. 2 a collapse; an explosion. go bust become bankrupt; fail. [orig. a (dial.) pronunc. of BURST] bustard n. any large terrestrial bird of the family Otididae, with long neck, long legs, and stout tapering body. [ME f. OF bistarde f. L avis tarda slow bird (? = slow on the ground; but possibly a perversion of a foreign word)] bustee n. Ind. a shanty town; a slum. [Hind. basti dwelling] buster n. 1 esp. US sl. mate; fellow (used esp. as a disrespectful form of address). 2 a violent gale. bustier n. a strapless close-fitting bodice, usu. boned. [F] bustle(1) v. & n. --v. 1 intr. (often foll. by about) a work etc. showily, energetically, and officiously. b hasten (bustled about the kitchen banging saucepans). 2 tr. make (a person) hurry or work hard (bustled him into his overcoat). 3 intr. (as bustling adj.) colloq. full of activity. --n. excited activity; a fuss. ЬЬbustler n. [perh. f. buskle frequent. of busk prepare] bustle(2) n. hist. a pad or frame worn under a skirt and puffing it out behind. [18th c.: orig. unkn.] busty adj. (bustier, bustiest) (of a woman) having a prominent bust. ЬЬbustiness n. busy adj., v., & n. --adj. (busier, busiest) 1 (often foll. by in, with, at, or pres. part.) occupied or engaged in work etc. with the attention concentrated (busy at their needlework; he was busy packing). 2 full of activity or detail; fussy (a busy evening; a picture busy with detail). 3 employed continuously; unresting (busy as a bee). 4 meddlesome; prying. 5 esp. US (of a telephone line) engaged. --v.tr. (-ies, -ied) (often refl.) keep busy; occupy (the work busied him for many hours; busied herself with the accounts). --n. (pl. -ies) sl. a detective; a policeman. Ьbusy Lizzie a house-plant, Impatiens Walleriana, with usu. toothed leaves and pendulous flowers. ЬЬbusily adv. busyness n. (cf. BUSINESS). [OE bisig] busybody n. (pl. -ies) 1 a meddlesome person. 2 a mischief-maker. but(1) conj., prep., adv., pron., n., & v. --conj. 1 a nevertheless, however (tried hard but did not succeed; I am old, but I am not weak). b on the other hand; on the contrary (I am old but you are young). 2 (prec. by can etc.; in neg. or interrog.) except, other than, otherwise than (cannot choose but do it; what could we do but run?). 3 without the result that (it never rains but it pours). 4 prefixing an interruption to the speaker's train of thought (the weather is ideal - but is that a cloud on the horizon?). --prep. except; apart from; other than (everyone went but me; nothing but trouble). --adv. 1 only; no more than; only just (we can but try; is but a child; had but arrived; did it but once). 2 introducing emphatic repetition; definitely (wanted to see nobody, but nobody). 3 Austral. & NZ though, however (didn't like it, but). --rel.pron. who not; that not (there is not a man but feels pity). --n. an objection (ifs and buts). --v.tr. (in phr. but me no buts) do not raise objections. Ьbut for without the help or hindrance etc. of (but for you I'd be rich by now). but one (or two etc.) excluding one (or two etc.) from the number (next door but one; last but one). but that (prec. by neg.) that (I don't deny but that it's true). but that (or colloq. what) other than that; except that (who knows but that it is true?). but then (or yet) however, on the other hand (I won, but then the others were beginners). [OE be-utan, butan, buta outside, without] but(2) n. Sc. Ьbut and ben the outer and inner rooms of a two-roomed house (see BEN(2)). [BUT(1) = outside] butadiene n. Chem. a colourless gaseous hydrocarbon used in the manufacture of synthetic rubbers. °Chem. formula: C[4]H[6]. [BUTANE + DI-(2) + -ENE: cf. BUNA] butane n. Chem. a gaseous hydrocarbon of the alkane series used in liquefied form as fuel. °Chem. formula: C[4]H[8]. [BUTYL + -ANE] butch adj. & n. sl. --adj. masculine; tough-looking. --n. 1 (often attrib.) a a mannish woman. b a mannish lesbian. 2 a tough, usu. muscular, youth or man. [perh. abbr. of BUTCHER] butcher n. & v. --n. 1 a a person whose trade is dealing in meat. b a person who slaughters animals for food. 2 a person who kills or has people killed indiscriminately or brutally. --v.tr. 1 slaughter or cut up (an animal) for food. 2 kill (people) wantonly or cruelly. 3 ruin (esp. a job or a musical composition) through incompetence. Ьthe butcher, the baker, the candlestick-maker people of all kinds or trades. butcher-bird a shrike of the genus Lanius, native to Australia and New Guinea, with a long hook-tipped bill for catching prey. butcher's rhymingsl. a look (short for butcher's hook). butcher's-broom a low spiny-leaved evergreen shrub, Ruscus aculeatus. butcher's meat slaughtered fresh meat excluding game, poultry, and bacon. ЬЬbutcherly adv. [ME f. OF bo(u)chier f. boc BUCK(1)] butchery n. (pl. -ies) 1 needless or cruel slaughter (of people). 2 the butcher's trade. 3 a slaughterhouse. [ME f. OF boucherie (as BUTCHER)] butle var. of BUTTLE. butler n. the principal manservant of a household, usu. in charge of the wine cellar, pantry, etc. [ME f. AF buteler, OF bouteillier: see BOTTLE] butt(1) v. & n. --v. 1 tr. & intr. push with the head or horns. 2 a intr. (usu. foll. by against, upon) come with one end flat against, meet end to end with, abut. b tr. (usu. foll. by against) place (timber etc.) with the end flat against a wall etc. --n. 1 a push with the head. 2 a join of two edges. Ьbutt in interrupt, meddle. [ME f. AF buter, OF boter f. Gmc: infl. by BUTT(2) and ABUT] butt(2) n. 1 (often foll. by of) an object (of ridicule etc.) (the butt of his jokes; made him their butt). 2 a a mound behind a target. b (in pl.) a shooting-range. c a target. 3 a grouse-shooter's stand screened by low turf or a stone wall. [ME f. OF but goal, of unkn. orig.] butt(3) n. 1 (also butt-end) the thicker end, esp. of a tool or a weapon (gun butt). 2 a the stub of a cigar or a cigarette. b (also butt-end) a remnant (the butt of the evening). 3 esp. US sl. the buttocks. 4 (also butt-end) the square end of a plank meeting a similar end. 5 the trunk of a tree, esp. the part just above the ground. Ьbutt weld a weld in which the pieces are joined end to end. [Du. bot stumpy] butt(4) n. a cask, esp. as a measure of wine or ale. [AL butta, bota, AF but, f. OF bo(u)t f. LL buttis] butt(5) n. a flat-fish (e.g. a sole, plaice, or turbot). [MLG, MDu. but flat-fish] butte n. US a high isolated steep-sided hill. [F, = mound] butter n. & v. --n. 1 a a pale yellow edible fatty substance made by churning cream and used as a spread or in cooking. b a substance of a similar consistency or appearance (peanut butter). 2 excessive flattery. --v.tr. spread, cook, or serve with butter (butter the bread; buttered carrots). Ьbutter-and-eggs any of several plants having two shades of yellow in the flower, e.g. toadflax. butter-bean 1 the flat, dried, white lima bean. 2 a yellow-podded bean. butter-cream (or -icing) a mixture of butter, icing sugar, etc. used as a filling or a topping for a cake. butter-fingers colloq. a clumsy person prone to drop things. butter-knife a blunt knife used for cutting butter at table. butter muslin a thin, loosely-woven cloth with a fine mesh, orig. for wrapping butter. butter-nut 1 a N. American tree, Juglans cinerea. 2 the oily nut of this tree. butter up colloq. flatter excessively. look as if butter wouldn't melt in one's mouth seem demure or innocent, probably deceptively. [OE butere f. L butyrum f. Gk bouturon] butterball n. 1 a piece of butter shaped into a ball. 2 US = BUFFLEHEAD (because it is very fat in autumn). 3 US sl. a fat person. butterbur n. any of several plants of the genus Petasites with large soft leaves, formerly used to wrap butter. buttercup n. any common yellow-flowered plant of the genus Ranunculus. butterfat n. the essential fats of pure butter. butterfish n. = GUNNEL(1). butterfly n. (pl. -flies) 1 any diurnal insect of the order Lepidoptera, with knobbed antennae, a long thin body, and four usu. brightly coloured wings erect when at rest. 2 a showy or frivolous person. 3 (in pl.) colloq. a nervous sensation felt in the stomach. Ьbutterfly net a fine net on a ring attached to a pole, used for catching butterflies. butterfly nut a kind of wing-nut. butterfly stroke a stroke in swimming, with both arms raised and lifted forwards together. butterfly valve a valve with hinged semicircular plates. [OE buttor-fleoge (as BUTTER, FLY(2))] buttermilk n. a slightly acid liquid left after churning butter. butterscotch n. a brittle sweet made from butter, brown sugar, etc. [SCOTCH] butterwort n. any bog plant of the genus Pinguicula, esp. P. vulgaris with violet-like flowers and fleshy leaves that secrete a fluid to trap small insects for nutrient. buttery(1) n. (pl. -ies) a room, esp. in a college, where provisions are kept and supplied to students etc. [ME f. AF boterie butt-store (as BUTT(4))] buttery(2) adj. like, containing, or spread with butter. ЬЬbutteriness n. buttle v.intr. (also butle) joc. work as a butler. [back-form. f. BUTLER] buttock n. (usu. in pl.) 1 each of two fleshy protuberances on the lower rear part of the human body. 2 the corresponding part of an animal. [butt ridge + -OCK] button n. & v. --n. 1 a small disc or knob sewn on to a garment, either to fasten it by being pushed through a buttonhole, or as an ornament or badge. 2 a knob on a piece of esp. electronic equipment which is pressed to operate it. 3 a a small round object (chocolate buttons). b (attrib.) anything resembling a button (button nose). 4 a a bud. b a button mushroom. 5 Fencing a terminal knob on a foil making it harmless. --v. 1 tr. & intr. = button up 1. 2 tr. supply with buttons. Ьbuttonball tree (or button wood) US a plane-tree, Platanus occidentalis. button chrysanthemum a variety of chrysanthemum with small spherical flowers. buttoned up colloq. 1 formal and inhibited in manner. 2 silent. button one's lip esp. US sl. remain silent. button mushroom a young unopened mushroom. button-through (of a dress) fastened with buttons from neck to hem like a coat. button up 1 fasten with buttons. 2 colloq. complete (a task etc.) satisfactorily. 3 colloq. become silent. not worth a button worthless. on the button esp. US sl. precisely. ЬЬbuttoned adj. buttonless adj. buttony adj. [ME f. OF bouton, ult. f. Gmc] buttonhole n. & v. --n. 1 a slit made in a garment to receive a button for fastening. 2 a flower or spray worn in a lapel buttonhole. --v.tr. 1 colloq. accost and detain (a reluctant listener). 2 make buttonholes in. Ьbuttonhole stitch a looped stitch used for making buttonholes. buttonhook n. a hook formerly used esp. for pulling the buttons on tight boots into place for fastening. buttons n. colloq. a liveried page-boy. [from the rows of buttons on his jacket] buttress n. & v. --n. 1 a a projecting support of stone or brick etc. built against a wall. b a source of help or encouragement (she was a buttress to him in his trouble). 2 a projecting portion of a hill or mountain. --v.tr. (often foll. by up) 1 support with a buttress. 2 support by argument etc. (claim buttressed by facts). [ME f. OF (ars) bouterez thrusting (arch) f. bouteret f. bouter BUTT(1)] butty(1) n. (pl. -ies) 1 colloq. or dial. a mate; a companion. 2 hist. a middleman negotiating between a mine-owner and the miners. 3 a barge or other craft towed by another. Ьbutty-gang a gang of men contracted to work on a large job and sharing the profits equally. [19th c.: perh. f. BOOTY in phr. play booty join in sharing plunder] butty(2) n. (pl. -ies) N.Engl. 1 a sandwich (bacon butty). 2 a slice of bread and butter. [BUTTER + -Y(2)] butyl n. Chem. the univalent alkyl radical C[4]H[9]. Ьbutyl rubber a synthetic rubber used in the manufacture of tyre inner tubes. [BUTYRIC (ACID) + -YL] butyric acid n. Chem. either of two colourless syrupy liquid organic acids found in rancid butter or arnica oil. ЬЬbutyrate n. [L butyrum BUTTER + -IC] buxom adj. (esp. of a woman) plump and healthy-looking; large and shapely; busty. ЬЬbuxomly adv. buxomness n. [earlier sense pliant: ME f. stem of OE bugan BOW(2) + -SOME(1)] buy v. & n. --v. (buys, buying; past and past part. bought) 1 tr. a obtain in exchange for money etc. b (usu. in neg.) serve to obtain (money can't buy happiness). 2 tr. a procure (the loyalty etc.) of a person by bribery, promises, etc. b win over (a person) in this way. 3 tr. get by sacrifice, great effort, etc. (dearly bought; bought with our sweat). 4 tr. sl. accept, believe in, approve of (it's a good scheme, I'll buy it; he bought it, he's so gullible). 5 absol. be a buyer for a store etc. (buys for Selfridges; are you buying or selling?). --n. colloq. a purchase (that sofa was a good buy). Ьbest buy the purchase giving the best value in proportion to its price; a bargain. buy in 1 buy a stock of. 2 withdraw (an item) at auction because of failure to reach the reserve price. buy into obtain a share in (an enterprise) by payment. buy it (usu. in past) sl. be killed. buy off get rid of (a claim, a claimant, a blackmailer) by payment. buy oneself out obtain one's release (esp. from the armed services) by payment. buy out pay (a person) to give up an ownership, interest, etc. buy-out n. the purchase of a controlling share in a company etc. buy over bribe. buy time delay an event, conclusion, etc., temporarily. buy up 1 buy as much as possible of. 2 absorb (another firm etc.) by purchase. [OE bycgan f. Gmc] buyer n. 1 a person employed to select and purchase stock for a large store etc. 2 a purchaser, a customer. Ьbuyer's (or buyers') market an economic position in which goods are plentiful and cheap and buyers have the advantage. buzz n. & v. --n. 1 the hum of a bee etc. 2 the sound of a buzzer. 3 a a confused low sound as of people talking; a murmur. b a stir; hurried activity (a buzz of excitement). c colloq. a rumour. 4 sl. a telephone call. 5 sl. a thrill; a euphoric sensation. --v. 1 intr. make a humming sound. 2 a tr. & intr. signal or signal to with a buzzer. b tr. telephone. 3 intr. a (often foll. by about) move or hover busily. b (of a place) have an air of excitement or purposeful activity. 4 tr. colloq. throw hard. 5 tr. Aeron. colloq. fly fast and very close to (another aircraft). Ьbuzz off sl. go or hurry away. buzz-saw US a circular saw. buzz-word sl. 1 a fashionable piece of esp. technical or computer jargon. 2 a catchword; a slogan. [imit.] buzzard n. 1 any of a group of predatory birds of the hawk family, esp. of the genus Butea, with broad wings well adapted for soaring flight. 2 US a turkey buzzard. [ME f. OF busard, buson f. L buteo -onis falcon] buzzer n. 1 an electrical device, similar to a bell, that makes a buzzing noise. 2 a whistle or hooter. 21.0 BVM =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- BVM abbr. Blessed Virgin Mary. 22.0 bwama... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- bwana n. Afr. master, sir. [Swahili] BWI abbr. hist. British West Indies. BWR abbr. boiling-water (nuclear) reactor. 23.0 by... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- by prep., adv., & n. --prep. 1 near, beside, in the region of (stand by the door; sit by me; path by the river). 2 through the agency, means, instrumentality, or causation of (by proxy; bought by a millionaire; a poem by Donne; went by bus; succeeded by persisting; divide four by two). 3 not later than; as soon as (by next week; by now; by the time he arrives). 4 a past, beyond (drove by the church; came by us). b passing through; via (went by Paris). 5 in the circumstances of (by day; by daylight). 6 to the extent of (missed by a foot; better by far). 7 according to; using as a standard or unit (judge by appearances; paid by the hour). 8 with the succession of (worse by the minute; day by day; one by one). 9 concerning; in respect of (did our duty by them; Smith by name; all right by me). 10 used in mild oaths (orig. = as surely as one believes in) (by God; by gum; swear by all that is sacred). 11 placed between specified lengths in two directions (three feet by two). 12 avoiding, ignoring (pass by him; passed us by). 13 inclining to (north by north-west). --adv. 1 near (sat by, watching; lives close by). 2 aside; in reserve (put њ5 by). 3 past (they marched by). --n. = BYE. Ьby and by before long; eventually. by and large on the whole, everything considered. by the by (or bye) incidentally, parenthetically. by oneself 1 a unaided. b without prompting. 2 alone; without company. [OE bi, bi, be f. Gmc] by- prefix (also bye-) subordinate, incidental, secondary (by-effect; by-road). by-blow n. 1 a side-blow not at the main target. 2 an illegitimate child. bye(1) n. 1 Cricket a run scored from a ball that passes the batsman without being hit. 2 the status of an unpaired competitor in a sport, who proceeds to the next round as if having won. 3 Golf one or more holes remaining unplayed after the match has been decided. Ьby the bye = by the by. leg-bye Cricket a run scored from a ball that touches the batsman. [BY as noun] bye(2) int. colloq. = GOODBYE. [abbr.] bye- prefix var. of BY-. bye-bye(1) int. colloq. = GOODBYE. [childish corrupt.] bye-bye(2) n. (also bye-byes) (a child's word for) sleep. [ME, f. the sound used in lullabies] by-election n. the election of an MP in a single constituency to fill a vacancy arising during a government's term of office. Byelorussian var. of BELORUSSIAN. by-form n. a collateral form of a word etc. bygone adj. & n. --adj. past, antiquated (bygone years). --n. (in pl.) past offences (let bygones be bygones). by-law n. (also bye-law) 1 Brit. a regulation made by a local authority or corporation. 2 a rule made by a company or society for its members. [ME prob. f. obs. byrlaw local custom (ON b°jar genitive sing. of b°r town, but assoc. with BY)] byline n. 1 a line in a newspaper etc. naming the writer of an article. 2 a secondary line of work. 3 a goal-line or touch-line. byname n. a sobriquet; a nickname. bypass n. & v. --n. 1 a road passing round a town or its centre to provide an alternative route for through traffic. 2 a a secondary channel or pipe etc. to allow a flow when the main one is closed or blocked. b an alternative passage for the circulation of blood during a surgical operation on the heart. --v.tr. 1 avoid; go round. 2 provide with a bypass. bypath n. 1 a secluded path. 2 a minor or obscure branch of a subject. byplay n. a secondary action or sequence of events, esp. in a play. by-product n. 1 an incidental or secondary product made in the manufacture of something else. 2 a secondary result. byre n. a cowshed. [OE byre: perh. rel. to BOWER] byroad n. a minor road. Byronic adj. 1 characteristic of Lord Byron, English poet d. 1824, or his romantic poetry. 2 (of a man) handsomely dark, mysterious, or moody. byssinosis n. Med. a lung disease caused by prolonged inhalation of textile fibre dust. [mod.L f. Gk bussinos made of byssus + -OSIS] byssus n. hist. (pl. byssuses or byssi) 1 hist. a fine textile fibre and fabric of flax. 2 a tuft of tough silky filaments by which some molluscs adhere to rocks etc. [ME f. L f. Gk bussos] bystander n. a person who stands by but does not take part; a mere spectator. byte n. Computing a group of eight binary digits, often used to represent one character. [20th c.: perh. based on BIT(4) and BITE] byway n. 1 a byroad or bypath. 2 a minor activity. byword n. 1 a person or thing cited as a notable example (is a byword for luxury). 2 a familiar saying; a proverb. Byzantine adj. & n. --adj. 1 of Byzantium or the E. Roman Empire. 2 (of a political situation etc.): a extremely complicated. b inflexible. c carried on by underhand methods. 3 Archit. & Painting of a highly decorated style developed in the Eastern Empire. --n. a citizen of Byzantium or the E. Roman Empire. ЬЬByzantinism n. Byzantinist n. [F byzantin or L Byzantinus f. Byzantium, later Constantinople and now Istanbul] Яндекс.Реклама: need a payday loan |